Peter Battye, Amazing behavior of animals at sea (Wildlife and Animal 2017)

Whilst traveling across the Pacific Ocean to the Isle of Pines, I was extremely fortunate to photograph Blue Flying Fish (Exocoetus volitans) and the rare Neon Flying Squid (Ommastrephes bartramii) as well as Wedge - tailed Shearwaters (Ardenna pacificus) and Masked Boobys (Sula dactylatra). The flying fish (approx. 45cms in length) are capable of bursting from the water at great speed and gliding for long distances (> 100metres) above the surface using their large petoral and pelvic fins. the squid on the other hand propel themselves out of the ocean by using a jet of water and then opening their fins and tentancles to gluide at up to 11 metres/second. Both are trying to avoid predators under water but they also have to face sea birds, such as the Booby which dive at great speed and can swim under water. In this case the fish escaped the Booby - just. The Shearwaters hold their wings motionless as they glide over or 'shear' the water seeking fish.

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.