Northern elephant seal and bird

1st place: Robert Schwemmer
Northern elephant seal and bird, San Simeon, California, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

This otter investigated Kevin Stierhoff prior to a dive in the kelp forest at Point Lobos State Park

2nd place: John Crofts
This otter investigated Kevin Stierhoff prior to a dive in the kelp forest at Point Lobos State Park, California, September 2005.

 

Jellyfish close up with larval fish

3rd place: Greg McFall
Jellyfish close up with larval fish at Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary, May 2006.

 

Honorable Mentions

 

A buried Pacific sandfish

Honorable Mention: David Csepp
A buried Pacific sandfish from Southeast Alaska, 2004.

 

Northern elephant seal pup

Honorable Mention: Robert Schwemmer
Northern elephant seal pup, San Simeon, California, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

 

Honorable Mention: Adam U

 

Close up of tentacles of the American Tube Anemone at Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary

Honorable Mention: Greg McFall
Close up of tentacles of the American Tube Anemone at Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary.

 

Several ratfish

Honorable Mention: Mandy Lindeberg
Several ratfish.

 

Close up at Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary

Honorable Mention: Greg McFall
Close up at Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary, May 2006.

 

Boat Operations, snowman aboard the Rude

Honorable Mention: James Stricker
Boat Operations – snowman aboard the Rude, January 2000.