Matt Tinney, Sunny Ray (LANDSCAPE & ENVIRONMENT 2025)

Captured on the stunning Rottnest Island, just off the coast of Perth, Western Australia, this image showcases a lesser-seen local — not the island’s famous quokkas, but a graceful ray gliding silently through the crystal-clear shallows of Geordie Bay. I raced up a nearby hill to gain a high vantage point, heart pounding, and waited patiently as the morning light spilled across the water. At just the right moment, the ray aligned perfectly with the shoreline - a fleeting composition of nature’s elegance and timing.

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