15th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Sardines in the Sun

Sardines emerge from a coral wall in cobalt waters just a few yards from the shores of Cebu Island in the Philippines. They move in a single undulating cloud of silver that twists, turns, shrinks, expands and wraps itself around any object that gets in its way. At times, it becomes a thundercloud, blocking out the sun or clapping violently as it suddenly flips its formation to evade a predator.

This photo is a finalist in the Natural World category of our 15th Annual Photo Contest. See all 60 finalists here.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 02.2015
Date Uploaded: 06.2017
Photo Location: Moalboal, Philippines
Camera: NIKON D800E
Copyright: © Giacomo Marchione
Awards
Photo of the Day: 06.18.17
Editor's Pick
Finalist