Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2013

Peter Rowlands · Issue 75, Nov/Dec 2013 · pp. 36–41

Products mentioned: Nikon D7000, Nikon D90, Nikon D3s, Nikon D800, Tokina 10-17mm fisheye lens, Nikon 17-35mm lens, Sea & Sea YS-120 DUO strobes, Aquatica housing, Aquatica TLC Arm Set, Subal underwater housing, Nauticam housing, INON Z-240 strobes, INON Z-220 strobes, Seacam Prelude housing, Zen 100mm mini-dome

Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2013 Behaviour: Cold- Blooded Animals Winner Luis Javier Sandoval (Mexico) The beaches of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, near Cancún are traditional nesting sites for the endangered green turtle. But as Cancún has also grown as a holiday and dive resort, development has reduced the area available to turtles. Today, though, many nest sites are protected, there are turtle hatcheries to help numbers increase, and there is publicity to help local people and resort owners value the natural riches of the region. Luis earns enough from tourism photography to allow him time to document his beloved wildlife. ‘The turtles are so used to seeing people in the water that they think we’re just part of the environment,’ says Luis, which means he has been able to get to know individuals, recognising them from the markings on their faces. ‘This metre-long female, grazing…