The bond between a mother and baby is beautifully captured in a photograph by Spanish photographer Alvaro Herrero winning him the title of Underwater Photographer of the Year 2025. “The mother is accompanying her calf to the surface, because the baby is still so small and clumsy,” Herrero said of his picture Radiant Bond . “The calf is releasing a few bubbles underwater showing it is still learning to hold its breath properly.
For me, this photo really shows a mother’s love and communicates the beauty and fragility of life in our ocean.” Herrero captured the image during an early morning dive off Mo’orea in French Polynesia. “My favourite time of day is the early morning, because the light is soft and angled, allowing me to find the perfect angle to clearly define the shape of these animals in blue,” explained Herrero.
Image 1 of 13 : winner Coral Reefs: Catherine Holmes (UK) Raja Ampat, Indonesia.
