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Australian photographer Matty Smith has been awarded the prestigious Underwater Photographer of the Year 2026 title for his striking image depicting two southern elephant seal pups experiencing their inaugural swim. The photograph, entitled Rockpool Rookies, was captured at Sealion Island in the Falklands and features a split-level composition showcasing the young seals in a shallow rockpool.
After weaning, southern elephant seal pups are left to fend for themselves on the shore. Many of these pups gather in the island’s rockpools, where they tentatively begin to explore the cold ocean waters for the first time. Smith described observing this behavior, saying, “I watched dozens of them clamber over one another in shallow rockpools, awkwardly learning to swim.”
The award-winning shot was taken during Smith’s first evening at the location. He recalled, “The sky ignited with colour. I donned my dry suit and rushed into the water, capturing a handful of frames before the light vanished.” This decisive moment allowed him to document the pups’ early aquatic experiences in vivid detail.
Matty Smith’s photograph highlights a delicate phase in the life cycle of southern elephant seals, capturing both the vulnerability and determination of the pups as they embark on their first solo swim. His work has been recognized for its beauty and storytelling, earning him the top prize in the 2026 Underwater Photographer of the Year competition
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