Alexander Forrest, Beheaded (LANDSCAPE & ENVIRONMENT 2024)

The purest form of survival of the fittest... I was fortunate enough to capture this image in my encounter with the ruler of my local skies - the mighty eastern osprey (Pandion haliaetus cristatus). After a free dive off the shore I exited the bone chilling South-West Australian Indian Ocean to the magnificence of this bird of prey, floating on the updrafts of the cliffs above. I quickly deciphered what it was up to. It was on the hunt. The dive site which I surfaced from is unique in the way that high tide provides a crossing over a large section of rock separating the open ocean and the protected reef closer to shore. The eastern osprey was well aware of this and utilised the opportunity to swoop an unsuspecting tarwhine whilst it was out of cover. Plucking the fish from the shallow area of the reef, the bird proudly glided past me with the fish in its clutches. I couldn't believe how close it chose to fly past. I stayed with the animal as it feasted. It let me very close to the rock - knowing well of my pure intentions and that the feast was worth staying for. I spent some time with it as the bird teared off the fish's head to indulge in the treats inside. Following the encounter, as the bird made its leave, I inspected the rock which it was perched on (pictured). It was clear from the great number of fish skeletons... That was the osprey's dinner table.

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.