#underwater-photography

#underwater-photography

The Tunicate salp, commonly referred to as a salp, looks a bit like an elongated jellyfish-minus the tentacles. These barrel-shaped creatures fall into a category of marine animals called sea squirts, which are, believe it or not, actually taxonomically closer to humans than they are to jellyfish. That's because, despite their gelatinous-looking forms, they're actually invertebrates with a kind of spine, known as a notochord, that runs down their back and anchors muscles.

The 2025 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year competition celebrated its 22nd year by showcasing breathtaking images that reveal the delicate beauty of the natural world. Western Australian photographer Ross Gudgeon won top honors with a mesmerizing macro shot of cauliflower soft coral, praised for its originality and use of advanced underwater technology.