The Veil

The VeilFrom Jake Wilton: A reef manta ray (Mobula Alfredi) is shrouded in a veil of small fish as it glides through the protected lagoons of the Ningaloo Reef in search of plankton. [This is] one of the most spectacular manta ray encounters I had during my time on the Ningaloo Reef. While the rays can usually be found with smaller juvenile golden trevally, cobia or remora, I had never seen them shrouded in fish like this before. This photo is a finalist in

In contrast

or as tall as about half of the adult human population

and a gorgeous inhabitant underneath

A close up portrait of the iconic weedy sea dragon

They may prefer the whale shark for feeding time

The Ningaloo Reef from the air

Mangroves play a crucial role in coastal ecosystems

that if all the great whale species managed to recover to pre whaling numbers

if you take a closer look

as well as having motorboats in the vicinity which injure marine life like mantas

These intricate

The Pause showcases the serene elegance of a manta ray as it glides through the ocean’s depths