A stunning aerial photograph of a shark among a school of fish has won a prestigious international competition.
The image was shot from a drone by American Joanna Steidle over the Atlantic Ocean.
It shows the spinner shark hunting a school of menhaden fish.
READ MORE: Stunning photograph of pink birds gliding over shark-infested waters wins major competition
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She also shot a drone image of cownose rays stirring up sand off Southampton, New York.
Her portfolio won the International Aerial Photographer of the Year Award, as reported by What’s The Jam.
She said: “Aerial photography offers so many possibilities not yet explored.
“Every day is exciting as I look for unique subjects and moments.
“I try to stay away from the ordinary.
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“I live in a very flat landscape, so top-down imagery has become quite a theme in my photos which happens to work well with my love for marine life.”
Winners in other categories included Daniel Viñé Garcia of Spain and Jie Xu, of China.
Garcia took an eerie photo of Iceland’s Fagradalsfjall volcano as it cooled.
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The cracking pattern of the lava formed a skull, creating a natural illusion for a few moments.
While Jie Xu snapped an image of a football pitch in Henningsvær, Norway – a tiny island in the Arctic Circle.
Judges praised the diversity of styles and approaches on display.
Chairman of Judges Peter Eastway said: “Looking down on our subject produces a novel, intriguing and sometimes ambiguous perspective capturing the spirit of a contest that deliberately avoids limiting rules to encourage creativity and imagination.
“And photographers today are capturing some simply breathtaking views from above.”
READ MORE: Spectacular view captured by hobby photographer as two wonders of nature appear at same time
