A northern gannet swims in a hail of bubbles created by diving seabirds . 40,000 gannets visit the Shetland cliffs annually to lay and care for a single egg , fishing for food nearby . This image , by photographer Henley Spiers , was placed first in the UK Wide Angle section of Underwater Photographer of the Year ( UPY ). He says : “ The speed of the gannets led to innumerable failures , but in this frame we retain strong eye contact with the gannet , even as the scene is artistically softened ,” Henley says . “ With great thanks to Richard Shucksmith , without whom this encounter would not have been possible .” To see more winners , go to underwaterphotographeroftheyear . com
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