Underwater shot of gannet's hunting plunge earns top bird photo prize
Henley Spiers won the Bird Photographer of the Year 2026 contest with an underwater photo of a northern gannet diving through sunlight off Shetland. The image captures the bird's hunting behavior, which involves folding its wings and striking the water at speeds up to 86 km/h. Gannets have evolved features such as locking vertebrae and air sacs to withstand the impact.
The winning image emerged from a patient underwater wait in Shetland's cold, 10°C waters, where Spiers kept his camera fixed on the sun until a gannet crossed the perfect spot. Gannets are remarkably adapted for plunge-diving, with vertebrae-locking muscles, protective air sacs in the face and chest, and specialized nostrils that shield them from water pressure during high-speed strikes.
Other category winners showcased diverse bird behavior, from a western parotia's courtship dance in West Papua to a tawny frogmouth shielding its young from rain in Australia. A conservation entry depicted a discarded stuffed Egyptian vulture, highlighting illegal hunting issues in Malta, while another underwater shot captured curious gentoo penguins evaluating a snorkeler in Antarctica.
This competition could raise public awareness of bird behavior and the evolutionary adaptations enabling dramatic hunting strategies. The winning underwater perspective may inspire greater interest in marine and coastal bird habitats, potentially supporting conservation efforts. Images documenting illegal hunting could also prompt discussion about wildlife protection enforcement, though the primary impact is likely aesthetic appreciation and scientific curiosity among general audiences.