Runner-up - Travel Photographer of the Year 2022.

Green Planet, Blue Planet Portfolio Category

Image 4

Geometric patterns abound on healthy reefs. Coexisting among this distinct, showy star coral is a Peppermint goby. It sits out the day adorning the top of its favoured coral head, a tiny jewel on a crown composed of millions of individual animal polyps. This is a megacity in full swing. Thriving, in harmony, as it should be.

As twilight falls and light disappears on the reef, the colour-popping polyps begin to open. It’s almost time for their evening performance. Full bloom and a night of feasting. Until then, only splashes of iridescent blue reveal there’s a stowaway aboard. Its translucent body enables this smallest of fish to absorb and reflect the colours of its host.

Camera: Canon EOS 550D
Lens: Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM
f/stop: f/16
Shutter speed: 1/200
ISO: 200

Location: Bonaire, Leeward Antilles, Caribbean Sea

Photographer: Laura Storm