Last month, we announced a Photo Contest in our newsletter and our readers, many of whom are divers, sent in some very beautiful photos. Tough decision? You bet! We understand better than most how difficult it is to get an underwater photo that is even recognizable - let alone one that is beautiful.

And the winner of our 2009 photo contest is Maria del Pilar Blanco from Mexico! 

Photographer: Maria del Pilar Blanco, Mexico

"This picture was taken in Roca Partida (Revillagigedo Archipielago, Mexico), those are whitetip reef sharks (Triaenodon obesus) taking a nap into a rock cave. This was my first time diving in this place and was one of the most wonderful experience I ever had, lot of sharks of different species and a very good diving conditions."

Location: Revillagigedo Archipelago
Species: Whitetip Reef Sharks

Our thanks to our other readers who submitted photos for the contest. As you can see, they are all wonderful and who knows: you may see them crop up on our website and other materials from time to time!  Thanks again to all of you!