March 2026 Wildlife Photography Contest Advanced Category Winner

Marine iguanas have a remarkably tough feeding behaviour. They dive into the cold sea to graze on algae, gripping the rocks with their powerful claws. As ectotherms, they cannot produce their own body heat, placing them in constant danger of dying while feeding — cool down too much, and they become immobilised and eventually drown.

After feeding, they must warm themselves on the rocks. Having the opportunity to photograph them every day for more than a week in the Galápagos Islands, I set out to capture them within their true environment. That meant getting wet when large waves rolled in, and occasionally ending up with a soaked lens and camera body — though thankfully, I never lost a full setup to the ocean.

I chose a slower shutter speed to render some motion blur in the waves and emphasise the sheer power of the water. By placing the rising sun directly behind this large, dominant male — males grow considerably larger than females — I was able to capture the full range of harsh conditions these animals endure: scorching sun, surging waves, cold water, and the dark clouds of an approaching thunderstorm.
After spending a few hours trying to exist within the marine iguana’s world, I was simply glad to get the shot — and gladder still not to have to live there. My admiration for these animals grew considerably as I witnessed their daily struggle firsthand, and their majestic presence has left a lasting impression.

Captured with the Sony A7C II, Samyang 24mm f/1.8 — f/13, 1/160s, ISO 100