d5061ebd-3fa8-46fb-87aa-c1d62285a0d1

Whale Ballet

Aaron Lynton

United States of America

refocus-img_6865-1745270485

Honorable Mention

dbaef798-1200-431e-909b-19faf00d4c35

Bronze

Silversword and the Milky Way

A Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle cruises in the shallows on their way to the next reef. They often use the shallows by the shoreline as a highway for safe passage.

refocus-flight-of-the-turtle-bw-1766094476

Flight of the Turtle

Off the coast of Maui, a Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle swims just underneath the surface.

refocus-westside-turtle-1766094403

Half Full

Each winter, Maui's warm waters become the haven for Humpback whales. Here, life grows quickly in quiet trust - guided, protected and taught through closeness. Like us, these gentle giants grow with care and patience.

refocus-whale-tail-1765748580

refocus-mom-calf-escort-1765748583

refocus-eye-to-eye-1765748592

refocus-kohola-queen-1765748589

refocus-mom-and-calf-over-under-1765748586

Nominee

Gentle Giants

A molten lava river flows down the steep slopes of Mauna Loa during the historic eruption of 2022.

refocus-lynton-the-eye-of-pele-1763173030

The Eye of Pele

refocus-whale-tail-1761077639

Whale Tail

My flash illuminates an otherwise dark shore break barrel just before the first light of the morning. Chasing surf before the sun rises; there's not many better ways to start the day!

refocus-first-light-contest-1759791199

First Light

As the sunrises, it dances through the banyan tree branches. Such a large root structure, one can only speculate how old she is. But what I do know is, when you are in her presence, time slows down and everything seems to be alright.

refocus-tree-of-life-1759790966

Tree of Life Sunstar

Just off the coast of Maui, this playful humpback whale calf frolics and plays at the surface. The mom keeps a close eye from below.

refocus-whale-tail-1745270260

In an attempt to avoid an even worse big wave beating, Rafael Tapia hits the eject button

refocus-rafaeltapiapeahicanonball-1744846529

Silver

People’s Vote Award

Pe'ahi Canonball

In the vast silence of the ocean, where survival is not guaranteed, the mother's protectiveness becomes a sacred vow. Her watchfulness reflects this unwavering dedication. Taken legally under federal permit NMFS #26727

refocus-koholaqueen-1744846526

Kohola Queen

Sometimes you gotta pay to play, and here Jack Akrop found himself a touch out of position while paddling into this giant wave, which resulted in one of the biggest wipeouts of the year.