The winners of the 2025 Mangrove Photography Awards have just been announced and the images are nothing short of breathtaking. From mangroves glowing beneath the Milky Way to powerful portraits of communities affected by environmental loss, this year’s entries highlight both the extraordinary beauty and delicate fragility of these vital ecosystems.
Organized by the Mangrove Action Project, the competition saw a record-breaking 3,303 submissions from 78 countries, all celebrating the ecological importance of mangrove forests around the world.
The title of Mangrove Photographer of the Year went to Mark Ian Cook for his stunning aerial image, Birds’ Eye View of the Hunt – a poignant shot that captures one of the Everglades’ iconic birds, whose fate is deeply tied to the health of its rapidly vanishing habitat.
Scroll down to explore 76 winning and shortlisted photos from the 11th edition of the awards, and discover why mangroves matter more than ever.
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#1 Underwater, Highly Commended: Sunset Snack By Valentina Cucchiara
A gentle manatee grazes peacefully underwater, nestled beneath the tangled roots of a mangrove forest.
Image credits: mangroveactionproject
#2 Wildlife, Other Species, Runner-Up: Claws Of Power By Javier Aznar González De Rueda
A male Fiddler Crab (Uca sp.) performing a signal dance in the mud at sunset.
“A male Fiddler Crab (Uca sp.) performing a signal dance in the mud at sunset. During courtship, males wave their enlarged claw and produce sounds to attract females. This behavior is more intense at night and can involve synchronous waving with other males.”
Image credits: mangroveactionproject
#3 Wildlife, Other Species, Highly Commended: Crocodile Galaxy By Nicholas Hess
A pair of American Crocodiles sit before the Milky Way Galaxy in a mangrove forest in the Florida Everglades. “This image is one I’ve hoped to capture for the past 4 years living in Florida. Never whilst visiting this site did I get the chance before. But this day the stars literally aligned. At 2 AM, the Milky Way rose behind not one, but two crocodiles conducting some courting behavior. Seeing my opportunity I set up my tripod to utilize a long exposure to capture the Milky Way in my image. I then used a flash to freeze the crocodile’s subtle movement. After perfecting my settings, I shot a few images as the female appeared to circle the male and below. This one turned out to be my favorite.”
Image credits: mangroveactionproject
#4 Wildlife, Mammals, Highly Commended: Mother’s Protection By Satyaki Naha
Mother” is a word that needs no separate definition. The word “mother” is formed with the pronunciation “m”, which is present in all languages, like Maa/Amma, etc. Even in the sound of various animals calling their mother, the influence of “M” can be seen. Nature’s own part is this “Mother” race. So perhaps such is the similarity of these words. In this picture, two mothers are holding their hands and protecting their child. Mother Nature and the jungle cat mother. “One evening in the winter of Indian Sundarban I was in the safari and I had information of jungle cat and her cubs. I was waiting for 3 hours at a distance. After some time, I saw the mother jungle cat sleeping, and her little cub was also sleeping in her lap. At sundown, she started licking her cub, took it up, and moved to the jungle. The whole moment was breathtaking to me. As I saw the lifetime moment, also the protective nature of mother.”
Image credits: mangroveactionproject
#5 Wildlife, Other Species, Highly Commended: The Watcher And The Wanderer By Ramprasad Dutta
When giants and minnows coexist.
“In the Sundarbans, a massive crocodile rests near a tiny mudskipper. Despite the size difference, the fish shows no fear. Their contrasting colors create a rare, captivating moment in the wild.”
Image credits: mangroveactionproject
#6 Wildlife, Mammals, Runner-Up: Scent Marking Went Wrong By Trikansh Sharma
Sundarbans is a challenging place because Tiger territories keep submerging into water every six hours according to the moon cycle. While there is a myth among people that Tigers do not do scent/territory markings here because they lose the mark in water very quickly, I was lucky to photograph this rare behavior in mangroves. Only funny part was, the entire urine went on the subadult Tiger’s face.
Image credits: mangroveactionproject
#7 Wildlife, Mammals, Highly Commended: Flower Of Mangrove By Kaushik Ghosh
After hours of tracking through the mangroves, the elusive tiger finally revealed itself in the afternoon — emerging beneath the Hental tree, like a blossom unfolding in the wild. A perfect harmony of predator and habitat. “We had been moving through the dense mangroves since morning, every sound and broken twig fueling our anticipation. Hours passed, the forest holding tight to its secrets — until, in the quiet stillness of the afternoon, it happened. From behind a curtain of roots and shadows, the tiger appeared. She stepped into the light beneath a Hental tree, her presence sudden yet graceful, like a blossom blooming in the wild. In that moment, predator and habitat merged into a single, breathtaking scene — nature, perfectly in balance.”
Image credits: mangroveactionproject
#8 From The Air, Runner-Up: Dendritic By Stuart Chape
Aerial image taken from a helicopter of a tannin stained tidal creek and mixed mangrove community, NSW north coast.
“Part of a series of aerial images recording the coastal ecosystems of northern NSW.”
Image credits: mangroveactionproject
#9 From The Air, Highly Commended: Guardians Of The Shoreline By Jeff Thamert
Mangroves in the mist.
“As Dawn breaks over Florida’s east coast, golden rays pierce the early morning mist, revealing the intricate beauty of the Indian River Lagoon below. Captured by drone, this aerial view showcases a delicate estuarine ecosystem protected by winding shorelines of resilient mangrove trees-nature’s guardians that shelter a vast diversity of wildlife, In the distance, the Kennedy Space Center reminds us that just beyond this peaceful refuge, humanity reaches for the stars. This image celebrates the harmony between natural wonder and scientific ambition, both grounded in the same fragile world.”
Image credits: mangroveactionproject
#10 Conservation And Restoration, Highly Commended: Protecting The Protectors By Jason Florio
As part of FAO’s FISH4ACP program, the Gambian Navy teaches oyster harvesters to swim—giving women lifesaving skills and reducing drowning risks in the mangroves. Most had never learned to swim. These women play a vital role in protecting mangroves from illegal deforestation, safeguarding ecosystems that store up to 10 times more carbon than terrestrial forests and are crucial in fighting climate change.
“Gambian Navy swim trainers conducting a session with oyster harvesters. One of the techniques they focus on is just having the women learn how to relax and float in the water. As part of FAO’s FISH4ACP program, the Gambian Navy is teaching oyster women how to swim—empowering them with lifesaving skills and enhancing their safety while harvesting oysters from the mangroves. Most of the women had never learned to swim, and tragically, a number have drowned while working on the river. The oyster women play a vital role in conserving mangroves by preventing illegal deforestation, particularly the cutting of trees by local villagers for firewood. Mangroves are crucial in the fight against climate change, as they can store up to 10 times more carbon than terrestrial forests.”
Image credits: mangroveactionproject
#11 Conservation And Restoration, Highly Commended: Cleaning Up The Coast By Gerdie Hutomo
In Jakarta, Indonesia, a huge amount of rubbish, particularly plastic waste, is ending up in mangrove areas.
“A worker is cleaning the never ending rubbish in a mangrove restoration plot.”
Image credits: mangroveactionproject
#12 Livelihoods, Highly Commended: Home By Valentin Giebel
Pak Umar in the mangroves that protect his home.
“I had the privilege to meet Pak Umar a few months ago. A proud Bajau man who understands the importance of the mangroves for his home and fights for their preservation. The mangroves themselves are an extension of his personality and rich heritage.”
Image credits: mangroveactionproject
#13 Underwater, Winner: Low Tide On Hermit Crab Island By Alex Pike
While Clibanarius taeniatus is one of Australia’s more common hermit crab species, very little is known about it and I’m not sure it even has a common name.
“A study from 2003 found that its presence in large numbers generally indicates an environment that experiences higher freshwater flow than other marine intertidal regions. This is certainly true of the mangrove island I found at the entrance of Lake Macquarie which was absolutely teeming with these creatures. I visited this island at both low and high tides, and at low tide there were literally thousands of C.taeniatus feeding within the matrix of mangrove roots.”
Image credits: mangroveactionproject
#14 Underwater, Highly Commended: Cuttlefish In The Mangroves By Alex Lindbloom
A large female cuttlefish pauses momentarily before continuing to lay eggs in the shallow reef beneath the mangroves.
“I’ve spent a considerable amount of time snorkeling and diving in the mangroves of Raja Ampat, and one thing I’ve come to learn is that cuttlefish routinely come up to the shallow reefs beneath the mangroves to lay their eggs, quite often in the same piece of coral. This large female had been laying eggs for hours, if not days, and would pause for about five minutes after laying each egg carefully in the corals.”
Image credits: mangroveactionproject
#15 Threats, Highly Commended: Cracked Earth By Muhammad Amdad Hossain
A determined woman and her grandson collect water from the last remnants of a drought-stricken landscape in Shyamnagar, Khulna. Despite living near a river, they walk 2–3 km daily to find drinkable water due to salinity intrusion, a result of rising sea levels and reduced rainfall affecting the coastal mangrove community.
“On May 15, 2023, in Shyamnagar, Khulna district, this image portrays the harsh reality of water scarcity in Bangladesh’s low-lying coastal belt. A resilient elderly woman and her young grandson are seen collecting precious water from a nearly dried-up source in a landscape ravaged by drought. Although they reside near a river, the water is undrinkable due to severe salinization—an escalating problem caused by rising sea levels and tidal intrusion linked to climate change. Every day, families like theirs are forced to walk 2 to 3 kilometers to access freshwater. The situation worsens in winter months when rainfall is scarce, and even the shallow sources begin to vanish. This scene captures not only their daily struggle but also the broader environmental crisis facing the Sundarbans’ mangrove communities—where once-abundant rivers now carry salt, not life. The photograph stands as a stark reminder of the mounting impact of climate change on vulnerable populations. It reveals a generational fight for survival—where the elderly, the young, and the in-between are bound together by resilience, courage, and necessity. While the mangroves are known for protecting lives from storms and erosion, the people living around them now fight to protect their own lives—one drop at a time.”
Image credits: mangroveactionproject
#16 People Livelihoods, Winner: Bhoben Biseash And His Otters By Freddie Claire
The otters get their reward for a busy morning of fishing.
“There are only a handful of otter fisherman left and their unusual method of fishing has been handed down from father to son for centuries. The trainer adult otters are tethered and the younger otters swim free. The otters chase fish from the muddy banks into the awaiting nets and after each fishing session get their share of the catch.”
Image credits: mangroveactionproject
#17 Wildlife, Mammals, Winner: A Snack In The Mangrove Forest By Satwika Satria
A young proboscis monkey enjoys an avicennia fruit amidst the dense mangrove forest. “This juvenile proboscis monkey is seen savoring an Avicennia fruit it found. The avicennia fruit is one of the primary food sources for proboscis monkeys. This image highlights the vital role of mangrove ecosystems in supporting the survival of this endangered species.”
Image credits: mangroveactionproject
#18 Wildlife, Other Species, Highly Commended: Until The Night Falls By Mark Whiten
In the stillness of the Malaysian mangroves, a reticulated python lies motionless in the crook of a tree branch. Hidden in plain sight beneath glossy green leaves, it waits out the heat of the day, conserving energy for the cover of night—when the forest awakens and the hunt begins.
“I was exploring a mangrove forest in Malaysia, scanning the tangled branches and muddy banks for signs of movement, when I spotted this reticulated python coiled on a branch above a narrow stream. It was so well camouflaged against the dappled foliage that I nearly missed it – only the subtle curve of its body gave it away. To avoid disturbing the snake, I kept my distance and carefully set up my tripod on the opposite bank. Using a telephoto lens, I framed the shot to show the python tucked into the crook of the branch, sheltered by the broad leaves above. The dim, filtered light under the canopy made it challenging to expose the scene properly, but it also helped capture the mood of the moment – quiet, still, and almost hidden from view. During the day, mangrove forests can feel eerily calm. Most wildlife lies low, conserving energy in the heat, and this python was no exception. It remained completely motionless the entire time I observed it. Like many reptiles in these ecosystems, it’s likely nocturnal—waiting until dusk to begin its slow, silent hunt.”
Image credits: mangroveactionproject
#19 Threats, Highly Commended: Prawn Aquaculture By Stuart Chape
As in other parts of the world, mangrove ecosystems in Australia are sometimes converted to aquaculture production.
“Part of a series of aerial images taken from a helicopter of coastal ecosystems and impacts in northern NSW.”
Image credits: mangroveactionproject
#20 From The Air, Highly Commended: The Floating Village By Max Terwindt
Aerial image of a Thai floating village in between mangrove landscapes.
Image credits: mangroveactionproject
#21 Livelihoods, Highly Commended: Working On The Curve By Mayukh Ranjan Das
At low tide along the winding banks of the Matla River in Canning, a village girl bends gracefully over the exposed mudflats, carefully picking oyster shells. Dressed in red, she stands out against the cool, textured earth, her reflection mirrored in the riverbed. The curving riverbed guides her steps like a natural path, each shell a small offering from the receding tide. In this quiet labor, her presence becomes part of the landscape’s raw, rhythmic beauty.
“As the tide ebbs from the serpentine curves of the Matla River in Canning, the riverbed unveils its textured secrets—wet, glistening mudflats etched with ripples, trails, and the soft shimmer of late afternoon sunlight. In the midst of this raw, expansive landscape, a village girl in a red dress bends low to pick oyster shells. With quiet focus, she sifts through the soft mud, fingers expertly picking shells nestled in the ridges left by retreating water. Her presence is both purposeful and poetic—each shell she collects holds value, whether for sustenance, sale, or the rhythm of a daily routine that binds her to the tides. The land around her is alive yet silent, echoing only the distant cry of a heron or the faint rustle of wind in the mangroves beyond. The Matla, with its unpredictable swells and brackish waters, is both friend and threat—a provider of life and a reminder of nature’s unforgiving edge. During low tide, it offers this narrow window of opportunity, when its receding waters allow access to the hidden world beneath. For the girl, this moment is not just about shells but survival, tradition, and a deep, inherited knowledge of the land and river. The curve of the river acts like a natural frame around her, a reminder of how human life here is woven into the pattern of water and mud. All the oyster shells will be sold to make food for the nearby poultry farm. Her feet leave fleeting prints in the silt, washed away with the next tide, yet echoing the countless footsteps of those who came before her. The shell-picking is a ritual of resilience in a landscape shaped by impermanence. This scene, humble in scale, captures the enduring relationship between people and place in the Sundarbans delta. It speaks of dignity in simplicity, of childhood shaped by tides, and of a community’s ability to find life and meaning in the most fluid and challenging of environments.”
Image credits: mangroveactionproject
#22 Livelihoods, Highly Commended: Protector Of Childhood By Jumelito S. Capilot
Mangroves don’t just protect coastlines—they protect childhoods.
“These resilient trees act as natural barriers against storms and erosion, quietly shielding the communities behind them. For many children in coastal areas, like those in this photo, mangroves create safe spaces to play, dream, and grow. Every tree standing is a silent guardian of memories being made—proof that protecting the environment is also protecting a way of life.”
Image credits: mangroveactionproject
#23 Underwater, Highly Commended: Blacktip Reef Shark In The Mangroves By Kiliii Yuyan
A juvenile blacktip reef shark swims in its mangrove lagoon nursery in Palau.
“Juvenile blacktip reef sharks cruise in the shallows under the mangroves in a portion of Palau’s Rock Islands Southern Lagoon, a UNESCO world heritage site. At this site known as shark city, tour operators will throw their leftover lunches for the sharks to eat, bringing them close for tourists to enjoy. Sharks are protected in Palau- it was the first nation to declare itself a shark sanctuary.”
Image credits: mangroveactionproject
#24 Young Mangrove Photographer Of The Year, Highly Commended: Mud Serpent By Nitiroj Boonsai
Dog-faced watersnake (Cerberus schneiderii) finding prey when the tide gets low.
“Dog-faced water snakes are a common species of water snake found in the mangroves of Thailand. They’re venomous but harmless to humans. Their venom is used for hunting small animals.”
Image credits: mangroveactionproject
#25 Wildlife, Birds, Runner-Up: Mangrove Trees: A Safe Haven And Natural Rest Stop For Migratory Birds On Their Seasonal Journey By Ibrahim Alshwamin
In the Jazan region, mangrove trees are vital coastal habitats that provide a rich food environment for migratory flamingos. These birds feed on algae and small invertebrates like crustaceans and plankton in the shallow waters. The mangroves offer a safe refuge, shielding them from disturbances and predators—making them an ideal rest stop during migration and a key contributor to biodiversity along Saudi Arabia’s coastlines.
“Mangrove trees in the Jazan region form a crucial habitat supporting migratory birds traveling from Europe to Africa, especially flamingos. This coastal ecosystem is rich in algae, crustaceans, and microscopic plankton—providing ideal nutrition for flamingos, which feed by filtering tiny organisms from the shallow water. Beyond nourishment, the mangrove environment offers a safe refuge from predators and environmental disturbances, making it a strategic stopover during the long migration. The dense roots and calm waters of the mangroves help minimize risks and allow the birds to recover their energy. Jazan is one of the most important stopover sites along the global migration route, attracting a variety of waterbirds in addition to flamingos, such as herons, terns, and spoonbills. Preserving this habitat is essential for supporting biodiversity and maintaining migratory pathways.”
Image credits: mangroveactionproject
#26 Wildlife, Birds, Highly Commended: Patience By Nicholas Hess
A Pacific Reef Heron hunts a school of fish from a mangrove branch in Raja Ampat, Indonesia. “This branch was a favorite hunting site of the local reef herons. I observed this individual’s behavior and wanted a shot of both the fish beneath the surface and the bird above. It was challenging to compose with the moving water surface, and the school of fish were quite dynamic. After patience on my part for the fish and bird to line up, and on the part of the bird as it hunted patiently, I managed to capture the image with the school of fish near the front, and the bird in a dynamic moment. I like this image because it so clearly demonstrates the existence of mangroves as the threshold between water and land. Here, the mangrove branch provides a perch for the bird, and protection for the fish.”
Image credits: mangroveactionproject
#27 Wildlife, Birds, Highly Commended: Pyramid Of Scaup By Mark Ian Cook
Part of a massive flock of diving ducks (primarily Lesser Scaup) apexing momentarily into an odd pyramidal shape in one of the mangrove-lined coastal lakes of Everglades National Park. “The coastal lakes of the Everglades are set within a dense matrix of mangroves adjacent to the Florida Bay estuary. Historically, prior to the drainage of the southern Everglades in the 1940s, these lakes were slightly brackish, crystal clear, and supported dense beds of aquatic vegetation, which in turn supported an abundance of animal life, including hundreds of thousands of migrating and wintering waterfowl. As the flows of the water from the north were curtailed by human activities, the salinity of the lakes increased considerably, the aquatic vegetation largely died off, and increased sedimentation and nutrients reduced the clarity of the water and the ability of the vegetation to recover. With the loss of the vegetation and the rich diversity of prey animals it supported, the waterfowl vanished from this part of the world. But with much increased volumes of freshwater flowing south last year because of the El Niño conditions, as well as recent restoration activities that allow more water to flow to this part of the Everglades, the coastal lakes have been recovering and, for the first time in 80 years, have attracted tens of thousands of waterfowl. There’s much still to do to get the water right for the Everglades, but this is yet another very encouraging sign that we’re heading in the right direction.”
Image credits: mangroveactionproject
#28 Wildlife, Mammals, Highly Commended: The Silent Sentinel Of The Mangroves By Tanmoy Das Karmakar
In the heart of the Sundarbans, the elusive Jungle Cat awakens with a powerful yawn — revealing nature’s sharp edge amid the tangled roots and tidal waters of the mangrove wilderness.
“In 2021, during a boat safari in the Sundarban Biosphere Reserve, our quest for the elusive swamp tiger went unanswered. As we turned back, a sleeping Jungle Cat emerged from the mangrove shadows. I captured its slow awakening — a deep stretch and a powerful yawn exposing sharp teeth — before it vanished into the dense tidal forest. This fleeting moment perfectly reflects the Sundarbans’ mysterious spirit and the wild rewards of patient observation.”
Image credits: mangroveactionproject
#29 Wildlife, Other Species, Highly Commended: The Sunset March By Emanuele Biggi
Mudskippers (Periophthalmus chrysospilos) march and feed together along the shore, following the tide. Kubah National Park, Borneo Island, Sarawak, Malaysia. “To shoot this image along the shore surrounded by mangrove forest in the Bako National Park, I stood still in the mud, along the shoreline, for almost two hours. The sun was setting, and I hoped the mudskippers would eventually get less shy and march in front of my lens. They were marching and feeding all together, and it was something amazing, but if you tried to approach them just by walking, they fled into the water and regrouped elsewhere, far away. So I tried to “become a fallen tree,” and it finally worked out.”
Image credits: mangroveactionproject
#30 Landscape From The Air, Winner: Mangroves And Modernity By Ahmed Badwan
The harmonious blend of mangrove nature with the modernity of the city — a captivating contrast where urban innovation meets the timeless rhythm of the wild.
Image credits: mangroveactionproject
#31 People ,conservation And Restoration , Winner: Mangrove Honey Bees Make Land By Ian Rock
After a winding route through many narrow canals, fisherman Manuel carries a heavy bee hive off a boat to its new home within the buffer zone of the Terraba-Sierpe mangrove forest, the start of a new mangrove honey project for the community.
“After a winding route through many narrow canals, fisherman Manuel carries a heavy bee hive off a boat to its new home within the buffer zone of the Terraba-Sierpe mangrove forest, the start of a new mangrove honey project for the community. Manuel and the others are local fisherman who live within the the Terraba-Sierpe National Wetland, the largest mangrove forest in Costa Rica. For the local communities that live in this wetland, one of the poorest regions in Costa Rica, their primary source of income comes from fishing. Sadly fish and clam populations are declining from overfishing, loss of habitat, and climate change putting economic pressure on the communities. In order to build resilience for the community, Osa Conservation is working alongside the community to kick start a mangrove honey project, training fishermen like Manuel in beekeeping and business development. Flash to the moment this photo was taken. After months of training it was time to bring the bees to their new home within the buffer zone of the protected wetland. The only access is by boat and very difficult work transporting the heavy hives on unsteady vessels, particularly under the oppressive humid heat of tropical wetlands. Fast forward 6 months and the first batches of honey have been harvested, totaling close to 30kg. Excitement and pride is palpable in the mangrove beekeepers. The community members are working with a Costa Rican branding agency to develop their Mangrove Honey brand. Eventually the honey will be available commercially, first in the local lodges and shops of the Osa Peninsula and then further around Costa Rica. The honey is delicious and unique, with a distinct salty sweet flavor. Ideally in the future, this project has ripple effects, creating even more opportunities for a community with limited options, opportunities that are dependent on a prospering mangrove ecosystem rather than an over-harvested one. A resilient people and a resilient ecosystem. ”
Image credits: mangroveactionproject
#32 Livelihoods, Runner-Up: Crab Gatherer By Danilo O. Victoriano Jr
Bakhawan Eco-Park in Kalibo, Aklan is a powerful story of nature’s revival and community resilience. Once a polluted shoreline, it has transformed into a thriving 220-hectare mangrove forest—protecting against climate threats and sustaining local livelihoods. This award-winning eco-park now stands as a symbol of hope, where families like the father and son in this photo enjoy the bounty of restored ecosystems.
“Bakhawan Eco-Park: Where Nature Heals and Communities Thrive” Once a barren, muddy coastline scarred by pollution, Bakhawan Eco-Park in New Buswang, Kalibo, Aklan now breathes life as a 220-hectare man-made mangrove forest—an inspiring symbol of restoration and resilience. Launched in 1990 through the vision of local government and NGOs, this reforestation initiative was born out of necessity—to shield the town from floods, storm surges, and the looming threat of climate change. Today, it’s more than a forest. It’s a living sanctuary teeming with mangrove species, fish, crabs, and migratory birds—an ecosystem reborn. But its impact stretches beyond the environment. For the local community, Bakhawan has sparked new hope: sustainable crab and fish harvests have revived livelihoods and strengthened food security. In this photo, a father and son share a joyful moment over a basket brimming with freshly caught crabs—a powerful image of nature’s generosity and the legacy we pass on. Celebrated globally, including accolades from the UNFAO and the Golden Eagle Award, Bakhawan Eco-Park is not just a success story—it’s a beacon of what’s possible when people and the planet grow together.”
Image credits: mangroveactionproject
#33 Conservation And Restoration, Highly Commended: Hieroglyph By Callie Chee
A fisherman meandering through the baby mangroves that resemble musical notes when viewed from afar.
Image credits: mangroveactionproject
#34 Underwater, Runner-Up: Netted Sulawesi Scene By Renee Capozzola
Half and half scene of mangroves, cardinalfish, and ghost net.
“This half and half image was shot in the shallow mangroves around Bangka Island in North Sulawesi, Indonesia. While exploring the shallow area near the roots, I stopped to take a picture of this discarded fishing net that had washed up into the tree roots and then noticed a few shy cardinalfish peeking out from the roots behind. I waited patiently for more of these cardinalfish to come out from the roots and then was able to capture this scene. Ocean debris such as this ghost net pose a threat to wildlife, including fish and birds which live amongst the mangrove forest.”
Image credits: mangroveactionproject
#35 Emirates Award, Highly Commended: Mangrove Escape By Ahmed Badwan
A leisurely escape through the tranquil mangrove channels of Abu Dhabi — where calm waters, winding paths, and the gentle rustle of leaves create a perfect harmony between adventure and nature.
Image credits: mangroveactionproject
#36 Wildlife, Birds, Winner: Avian Impressionism By Mark Ian Cook
Blue-winged Teal create ephemeral artwork as they dabble for food in the chai-coloured shallows of Florida Bay, Florida.
“This image was taken last autumn after the summer rains had sent much-needed freshwater flows into the Florida Bay estuary. The odd yellow colour is entirely natural and is a consequence of the mangroves lining the bay; the first flush of freshwater from the Everglades gains this rich whiskey hue as it passes through the swamp and extracts the tannins leached from decaying mangrove leaves. The migrating teal are feeding just downstream of the mangroves, dabbling and filtering high densities of algae and other microorganisms from the shallow edge of the bay. It can be a challenge to produce creative aerial images of the topographically flat Everglades, so it’s often necessary to find subjects that are willing to interact with their habits in strange and wonderful ways, like these artistic teal. Here, my aim was to capture something of the ecology or essence of the ducks while also attempting to fit that into a visually appealing composition that incorporates, to the extent possible, the patterns, textures, and colours of the environment. It’s this combination of animal behavior and a captivating habitat that I believe makes for the most compelling images.”
Image credits: mangroveactionproject
#37 Wildlife, Other Species, Highly Commended: Tidewalker By Vydehi Kadur
Amid the tangle of mangrove roots on Havelock Island in the Andaman archipelago, India, a mudskipper (Periophthalmus sp.) rests between the arching roots of a Rhizophora mangrove tree. Perfectly adapted to an amphibious life, mudskippers use their pectoral fins to “walk” on land, while their protruding eyes scan both sky and water for predators. Thriving at the edge of two worlds, these remarkable fish are synonymous with the mangrove ecosystem. “As the tide receded along the mangrove edges of Havelock Island in the Andamans, I found myself immersed in a quiet, unfolding ritual. A group of mudskippers (Periophthalmus sp.) clung to the textured bark of a mangrove root—startled, as always, by the retreating water. They looked stunned and frantic as they scurried back toward their vanishing home, as if the tide might not return. It became essential to capture the movement of the water—not as chaos, but as softness. A long exposure helped me translate that rhythm: the water melting into gentle motion, framing the stillness of the mangrove roots and the anxious little fish. I wanted that softness to contrast the other elements in focus, to reveal the quiet tension in this everyday event. After nearly four hours of sitting perfectly still—no adjustments, no shifts, barely a breath—the mudskippers slowly accepted my presence. While they remained wary, they no longer scattered at every twitch. And that trust, however tentative, allowed me a rare opportunity: to use my 16–35mm wide-angle lens to attempt a close-focus wide-angle shot—an intimate frame in a vast and shifting world. This image is a tribute to patience, to stillness, and to the strange beauty of creatures who live between land and sea, reacting to every tide as if it were the first.”
Image credits: mangroveactionproject
#38 Threats, Highly Commended: Growth Or Proliferation? By Vidyasagar Hariharan
Lesser flamingos during sunrise in a Navi Mumbai wetland lake with cut mangrove trees and a building’s reflection in the water. “During winter, thousands of lesser and greater Flamingos visit Mumbai and Navi Mumbai and stay on till the monsoon starts. In one of the wetland lakes in Navi Mumbai, mangroves were cut, and this was brought to public attention at large. Here, a group of Flamingos can be seen near a mangrove that has been cut, with the reflection of an adjoining high-rise that looms large. Is it growth or proliferation?”
Image credits: mangroveactionproject
#39 From The Air, Highly Commended: Veins Of Resilience By Karim Iliya
From above, the mangroves of Magdalena Bay resemble green lifelines threading through the desert—an ecosystem defying expectations.
“Hovering over Magdalena Bay reveals a stark truth: life finds a way. The winding channels of mangroves appear like veins across the arid coastal desert, drawing water and life into a seemingly inhospitable landscape. This bird’s-eye view reminds us how interconnected Earth’s systems are—where moisture meets heat, where the sea bleeds into land. Mangroves here offer refuge to fish, birds, and mammals while withstanding rising tides and human pressure. The beauty and resilience of this ecosystem, etched into the landscape like brushstrokes of life, call for stewardship. This is not just scenery—it’s survival, painted in sand and chlorophyll.”
Image credits: mangroveactionproject
#40 Conservation And Restoration, Highly Commended: Mangrove Guardians By Sushil Chikane
Few lucky mangroves in India have been notified as protected areas. With the ever expanding human activities these parks will eventually be the last refuge for wildlife. Safeguarding these parks is a crucial responsibility. And this job is best done by the ground guards. In the image is a forest guard patrolling the coastline of Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary.
“Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha is a rich mangrove teaming with some of the best wildlife in India. This interesting mangrove is along the Bay of Bengal. It is manned by the hard working forest guards. They patrol the park by boat and on foot. Patrolling on foot is extremely tough but the foot guards don’t shy away from it. I spent a day with them at Bhitarkanika to observe their work recently. The sheer will to save forest and wildlife drives them to work each day. Our trail ended on a beautiful beach along the Bay of Bengal. That is where this image was clicked. It is indicative of them with the guard standing in between the mangrove and the beach.”
Image credits: mangroveactionproject
#41 Conservation And Restoration, Highly Commended: Empowering The Next Generation By Jaime Singlador
A Green Guardian educating the young students towards their journey into mangrove conservation, from seed propagation to replanting.
“The photo shows a forester educating young students about the life cycle of a mangrove.”
Image credits: mangroveactionproject
#42 Threats, Highly Commended: Breaking The Ban Fishing In The Sundarbans Buffer Zone By Kingshuk Partha
In the restricted waters of the Shibsha River in Khulna, Bangladesh, fishers defy seasonal bans, casting illegal nets in the Sundarbans buffer zone. This striking aerial view reveals the tension between survival and conservation in a climate-vulnerable region, underscoring the need for sustainable, community-driven solutions.
“This striking aerial image captures a line of fishing boats casting blue nets along the Shibsha River in Khulna, Bangladesh — a vital waterway flowing through the heart of the Sundarbans mangrove forest. Though fishing in this area is officially restricted during certain periods to protect biodiversity and restore fish stocks, many local fishers continue to operate in secret, driven by economic desperation. The nets seen here are among those banned by the government due to their destructive impact on juvenile fish and river ecology. Despite regular naval patrols, enforcement remains a challenge in this remote region. This image highlights the delicate balance between human livelihood and environmental conservation — and the urgent need for sustainable, community-led solutions in climate-vulnerable coastal zones.”
Image credits: mangroveactionproject
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