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NOAA's national marine sanctuary offices and visitor centers are closed to the public while the waters remain open for responsible use in accordance with CDC guidance and local regulations. More information on the response from NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries can be found on sanctuaries.noaa.gov/coronavirus/.
2020 Get Into Your Sanctuary Photo Contest results
Below are the winners and entries for the Sanctuary Life category. Thank you to all those who participated! Click each photograph to see the full version.
Sanctuary Life
From tiny krill to enormous gray whales, thousands of species call the National Marine Sanctuary System home! This category depicts the amazing marine life that you can find in your national marine sanctuaries.
1st Place: Jon Anderson. A yellowfin fringehead (Neoclinus stephensae) peeks out from behind a red-rust bryozoan (Watersipora subtorquata) in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.2nd Place: Douglas Croft. Risso’s dolphins (Grampus griseus) in a hurry in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. This photo was taken 100 yards away from wildlife in compliance with all responsible wildlife viewing guidelines.3rd Place: Stan Schone. French Angelfish snacking on a sponge in Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary.
Sea nettles drift above metridium anemones just off Cannery Row in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Jon AndersonMarket squid aggregate to mate in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Jon AndersonWestern Snowy Plover, Marina State Beach, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Photo: Steve Zmak
Western Snowy Plover, Marina State Beach, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Photo: Steve ZmakBlack Crowned Night Heron chicks. Photo: Jerry LoomisGreen Heron, Carmel Valley, California. Photo: Jerry Loomis
A playful humpback whale splashes at the surface as a flock of brown pelicans fly by in Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Dustin HarrisA playful humpback whale splashes at the surface as a flock of brown pelicans fly by in Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Dustin HarrisTwo common dolphin leap out of the water in Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Dustin Harris
I took this series of photos of a Blue Whale fluking in the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. My husband, Paul Petrich, and I were on our “date day” on the Condor Express, whale watching boat, out of Santa Barbara. Paul and I are both volunteers for NOAA through the Channel Islands Naturalist Corps, and I recorded the sighting on Ocean Alert even though we were regular, paying passengers because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Blue Whales seldom fluke, as you know, so this series shows how an anybody can get an amazing shot with a cell phone. It’s all about being in the right Sanctuary at the right time. Photo: Tara Brown-PetrichI took this series of photos of a Blue Whale fluking in the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. My husband, Paul Petrich, and I were on our “date day” on the Condor Express, whale watching boat, out of Santa Barbara. Paul and I are both volunteers for NOAA through the Channel Islands Naturalist Corps, and I recorded the sighting on Ocean Alert even though we were regular, paying passengers because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Blue Whales seldom fluke, as you know, so this series shows how an anybody can get an amazing shot with a cell phone. It’s all about being in the right Sanctuary at the right time. Photo: Tara Brown-PetricI took this series of photos of a Blue Whale fluking in the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. My husband, Paul Petrich, and I were on our “date day” on the Condor Express, whale watching boat, out of Santa Barbara. Paul and I are both volunteers for NOAA through the Channel Islands Naturalist Corps, and I recorded the sighting on Ocean Alert even though we were regular, paying passengers because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Blue Whales seldom fluke, as you know, so this series shows how an anybody can get an amazing shot with a cell phone. It’s all about being in the right Sanctuary at the right time. Photo: Tara Brown-Petric
I took this series of photos of a Blue Whale fluking in the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Tara Brown-PetricHerring Gull with reflection, Santa Cruz, Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Jenna BiggsCalifornia Moray Eel - in depth in Channel Islands National Park Photo: Bruce Sudweeks
Nudibranch Swirl (photo taken through reflective plumbing pipe) in Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Bruce SudweeksAn offshore bottlenose dolphins goes for big air. Just off Santa Cruz Island in the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Douglas CroftBermuda Chubs at East Bank in Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Joyce Burek
Cocoa Damselfish at Stetson Bank in Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Joyce BurekA Long-Spined Sea Urchin at night in Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Stan SchoneFrench Angelfish at Stetson Bank in Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Joyce Burek
Juvenile Blue Angelfishat Stetson Bank in Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Joyce BurekLoggerhead Turtle at East Bank in Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Frank BurekMarbled Grouper at Stetson Bank in Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Frank Burek
Neon Goby at East Bank in Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Joyce BurekPainted Elysia at East Bank in Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Joyce BurekRed Night Shrimp at East Bank in Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Frank Burek
Ridged Slipper Lobster at Stetson Bank in Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Frank BurekRock Hind at Stetson Bank in Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Joyce BurekSeaweed Blenny at Stetson Bank in Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Joyce Burek
Spotted Moray Eel at Stetson Bank in Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Frank BurekSpotted Scorpionfish at Stetson Bank in Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Frank BurekSquirrelfish at Stetson Bank in Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Frank Burek
A Ridged Slipper Lobster (also called a Knobby Slipper Lobster) on a nighttime hunt for dinner in Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Stan SchoneTwo Spotted Morays hanging out in a crevice on the Stetson Bank in Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Stan SchoneYellowmouth Grouper at Stetson Bank in Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Frank Burek
Atlantic Spadefish at the Benwood Wreck off Key Largo. Photo: Daryl DudaBristle worm in shallows around Fort Jefferson near Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Jenna BiggsBrown Noddy on rusted base around Fort Jefferson near Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Jenna Biggs
Gray Angelfish at Molasses Reef off Key Largo. Photo: Daryl DudaGreen Sea Turtle and Nurse Shark at Snapper Ledge off Key Largo. Photo: Daryl DudaThe King of the Benwood Wreck, Green Sea Turtle holding Court. The Benwood Wreck is off Key Largo in the Florida Keys in the National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Daryl Duda
Gray angelfish in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Jill BrownChristmas Tree Worms in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Jill BrownA juvenile sea turtle on Molasses reef off Key Largo. Such a beautiful shell, and the calmest little friend – it's easy to appreciate the value of marine protected areas in places like the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Liah McPherson
Eye contact with a Nurse Shark at Pickles Reef off Key Largo. Photo: Daryl DudaSpotted eagle ray flying through Pickles Reef in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, Key Largo Florida. Photo: Andrew IbarraSpotted eagle ray flying through Pickles Reef in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, Key Largo Florida. Photo: Andrew Ibarra
Elkhorn coral on Pickles Reef in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, Key Largo Florida. Photo: Andrew IbarraQueen Angel among Schoolmaster snappers in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: William BrownSnook in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: William Brown
Ercolania sp. near Anini Beach, Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: April McCormackBreaching whale, Maalaea Bay near Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Tom AyersBreaching whale, Maalaea Bay near Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Tom Ayers
Breaching whale, Maalaea Bay near Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Tom AyersHonu, wrapped, cut free by Doug and Ed Lyman. Photo: Doug BoydGoniobranchus decorus (Decorated Nudibranch) in Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: April McCormack
Caloria sp. #3 in Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: April McCormackHypselodoris infucata (Painted Nudibranch) in Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: April McCormackHypselodoris infucata (Painted Nudibranch)in Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: April McCormack
I took this photo in the Pupukea Marine Life Conservation District of Hawaiian Islands Humback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. The photo shows a Blackside Hawkfish resting on coral with a Four Spot Butterfly fish and Arc-eye Hawkfish in the background. Photo: Bill PigottI took this photo in the Pupukea Marine Life Conservation District of Hawaiian Islands Humback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. The photo shows a Bluefin Trevally and a Moray Eel during mutualistic hunting. Photo: Bill PigottI took this photo in the Pupukea Marine Life Conservation District of Hawaiian Islands Humback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. This photo shows a SCUBA diver observing a green sea turtle from a distance. Photo: Bill Pigott
I took this photo in the Pupukea Marine Life Conservation District of Hawaiian Islands Humback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. I was SCUBA diving and happened to look upward and saw this turtle above me. I rolled over, snapped the photo and continued on my way. The photo shows a green sea turtle heading toward the surface. Photo: Bill PigottI took this photo in the Pupukea Marine Life Conservation District of Hawaiian Islands Humback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. The photo shows a face to face meetup between a Hawaiian day octopus and goatfish. Photo: Bill PigottHalgerda terramtuentis (endemic Gold Lace Nudibranch) in Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: April McCormack
Hypselodoris peasei (Pease’s Nudibranch, aka Locust Nudibranch) in Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: April McCormackArdeadoris angustolutea (Yellow Margin Nudibranch, aka Orange Creamsicle Sea Goddess) in Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: April McCormackArdeadoris angustolutea (Yellow Margin Nudibranch, aka Orange Creamsicle Sea Goddess) in Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: April McCormack
These were taken during an early morning walk along the shoreline of the Waihee Dunes and Wetlands Refuge on Maui's northeast shoreline during the first week of July. That day, amongst the ever present rock and driftwood, was this unfortunate fish, who must have really blown it somehow. Photo: Michael StettnerThese were taken during an early morning walk along the shoreline of the Waihee Dunes and Wetlands Refuge on Maui's northeast shoreline during the first week of July. That day, amongst the ever present rock and driftwood, was this unfortunate fish, who must have really blown it somehow. Photo: Michael StettnerWhale tail in Maalaea Bay near Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Tom Ayers
Greenwing Teal from Laguna Grande Seaside, California. Photo: Jerry LoomisBeach clean up crew, naturally. These turkey vultures were feasting on a marine mammal carcass on the beach in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, which they clean up regularly and naturally. Photo: Christina ParsonsFar from their clumsy appearance on land, California Sea Lions are agile and athletic once they hit the water! So fun to watch these two playing. Photo: Douglas Croft
Pelicans circling at the bird sanctuary at Carmel River State Beach. Photo: Lisa CarpenterCommon dolphins playing alongside our boat in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Douglas CroftContemplation, Point Lobos in Monterey Bay National Marine Sancutary. Photo: Dennis Segers
Courting Cormerant, Point Lobos in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Dennis SegersA curlew takes off out of an incoming wave at Marina State Beach. Photo: Lisa CarpenterGreat Blue Heron in China Cove at Point Lobos SRA. Photo: Jerry Loomis
Feeding Frenzy on Monterey Bay. Humpback whales lunge through a school of anchovies at the surface while gulls circle, waiting to feast on the leftovers. Photo: Douglas CroftTwo Godwits at Marina State Beach. Photo: Lisa CarpenterA gull flies over kelp beds in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Kate Sutter
Heermann’s Gull Overlooking Artificial Nesting Site. This gull was landward of an artificial nesting site built for Herrmann’s Gulls in Roberts Lake, near where the lagoon flows into Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Christina ParsonsWe have overcast skies much of the time on Monterey Bay. This flattens out the light and allows our cameras to get fantastic detail. It also makes everything appear in shades of gray. I really liked how stripping out the little bit of color that was there enhanced the detail even more on this humpback breach. Photo: Douglas CroftAnchovies fly as a humpback whale lunges from beneath them. Monterey Bay is a feeding zone for Humpbacks and eating is pretty much all that is on their minds when they are here. Anchovies, krill and even some sardines are on the menu. Photo: Douglas Croft
In flight, Point Lobos near Monterey Bay National Marine Sancutary Photo: Dennis SegersNudibranch Explosion in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Bruce SudweeksJellyfish Eclipse in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Bruce Sudweeks
Sea Lion Ballet in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Bruce SudweeksLion’s Mane Nudibranch in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Bruce SudweeksTeeny blue crab at Mavericks tide pools. Photo: Audrey West
Sea star making a comeback at Mavericks tide pools. Photo: Audrey WestOsprey hunting in Harkin Slough. Photo: Jerry LoomisOtter at Elkhorn Slough. Photo: Dennis Segers
Pigeon Guillemot under Cannery Row. This photo was taken where a group of Pigeon Guillemots had been nesting and this one was resting on the rocks just below the Chart House on Cannery Row. Photo: Christina ParsonsSeals swim in kelp beds in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Kate SutterSeals look up curiously at the camera in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Kate Sutter
A southern sea otter with a double crab feast. Photo: Douglas CroftEarly morning picture of godwits on Marina State Beach. Photo: Lisa CarpenterWood duck from Neary Lagoon in Santa Cruz, California. Photo: Jerry Loomis
Blue striped grunt (Haemulon sciurus) huddle close to a spur reef in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Tiffany DuongGetting a nurse shark’s (Ginglymostoma cirratum) view of Spanky’s Reef. Photo: Tiffany DuongA school of nurse sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum) swim up in the water column with divers at Spanky’s Reef. Photo: Tiffany Duong
Point Lobos Weston Beach tide pools during the King Tide’s lowest tidal point. The pastel colors of the bat sea stars are relatively easy to spot against the black rocks and bright green sea grass of their native habitat. Photo: Meg McWhinneyHarbor Seal mother and pup rest after a swimming lesson on the Pacific Grove 5th St Beach. Photo: Meg McWhinneyAbsolutely my favorite birds to watch during the breeding season, this pair of Brant’s Guillemots begin to build a nest on the edge of the Monterey Jetty Pier. Photo: Meg McWhinney
A draw with the whale watching boats right now, this mature female Leatherback Turtle floats just above the submarine Monterey Canon Rim looking for jellyfish. Photo: Meg McWhinneyTwo California Sea Lion pups comfort each other after their arrival at Monterey Jetty Pier. Photo: Meg McWhinneyA Snowy Egret searches the Point Lobos Weston Beach tide pools for food during the King Tide’s lowest tidal point. Photo: Meg McWhinney
A lone Harbor Seal pup in evening light waits for its mother to return to the Pacific Grove 5th St. Beach. Photo: Meg McWhinney
Please note that we may use any of the photos we received for this contest on our website, on social media, and in other NOAA and National Marine Sanctuary Foundation publications. We will provide credit to photographers whenever we use any of the photos. Organizations other than NOAA and the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation may use photographs submitted in this contest to promote sustainable and responsible recreation in the National Marine Sanctuary System. These photos are not for sale and are not for commercial use unless prior permission is arranged.
