While floating in the crystal-clear waters of the northern Great Barrier Reef, a sleek, dark shape glided toward Marcia Riederer. The Brazilian-born wildlife and underwater photographer watched as the dwarf minke whale approached, snapping a photo at the exact moment it turned and fixed one eye on her.

“These curious giants approach swimmers with an almost playful curiosity,” Riederer told Oceanographic Magazine. “The whales seem to acknowledge your presence, circling and interacting with you. It’s a humbling experience, reaffirming the wonder of the ocean and its inhabitants, and the urgent need to conserve it.”

Her stunning photo, shown above, won Riederer first place in the fine art category of the 2025 Ocean Photographer of the Year awards. This competition, presented by Oceanogr

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