Sardine feast nets top nature photographic award

A PICTURE of the sardine run off Port St Johns by French photographer Greg Lecoeur has won National Geographic’s Nature Photograph of the Year accolade.

Lecoeur came to South Africa in winter last year to photograph the sardine run which sees millions of sardines pushed by a cold current up the east coast from Cape Agulhas to the southern part of Kwa- Zulu-Natal.

The migration of “bait balls” of millions of sardines can stretch over several kilometres and can even be observed from space. It draws many predators.

On National Geographic’s website, Lecoeur reflects on his journey while searching for signs of the migration.

After two weeks of searching, “one day, though, the ocean was full of energy. We were escorted by hundreds of dolphins.

“From a point on the horizon ahead of us, the frantic sounds of gannet birds became louder and their dives from the air seemed to accelerate as they shot down, piercing the surface of the sea.

“Our dive boat headed towards the vortex of seabirds in the air, our adrenaline pumping,” he said.

Before jumping into the water, Lecoeur said he was blown away by the incredible spectacle that would unfold beneath the surface.

“The dolphins launched their assault, rushing into the sardines right before my eyes. Like lightning, crazy gannet birds pierced the surface, reaching a depth of about 30 feet. They would then begin a disorderly swim to catch several fishes in the same dive,” he said.

While the dolphins and gannet birds were feasting on the sardines, Lecoeur managed to capture the sardine migration action.

“The action was fast, but I was able to capture several images per second using continuous exposure.” — DDR