Jonathan & Angela Scott

Jonathan: “So what do the ‘Big Cat People’ do when they’re not tracking wildlife in Africa? We’re not divers but we love snorkelling. Angie, my wife, was born in Alexandria in Egypt but brought up on the coast of Tanzania. So, when we were in Tonga and our friend and fellow wildlife photographer Griet Van Malderen invited us to join her to swim with humpback whales, we were overjoyed. “This was something Angie had always wanted to do, though I had a bit of a problem putting on a facemask because of my moustache – I basically swallowed a lot of ocean water. But we did have some unforgettable encounters. One moment in particular ( pictured here) was absolutely sensational, and so different to the wildlife we normally encounter in the savannah – for both of us, it was life-changing.”

Angela: “I hadn’t been in the water for more than a few minutes when, looking down into the blue, this mother and calf materialised out of the depths towards me. It was as if time had slowed and all my senses were wrapped in that moment – one I will cherish forever. This photograph captures perfectly a kinder, more considerate and loving relationship between humans and their wild relatives.”