Semi-Finalist, Shell Wildlife Photographer of the Year, 2008

Category: Animal Portraits

Sally Lightfoot Crab

These stunningly colourful crabs skip over the water as though they're weightless. This one was rock-pooling, and I saw an opportunity to get in close to the incredible detail of its eye. The pinks, reds and oranges were spellbinding. I had to find a way to balance on the edge of the slippery, volcanic rock without scaring the critter off or falling in and wrecking my camera gear. It seemed to take forever. The crab would move sideways a few inches and I would creep forward. Advance, retreat, advance, retreat. I didn't mind, I found the whole situation hilarious. The crab, sure-footed and agile, and for once me, the opposite. And then it happened, a moment when it just stopped and let me focus on exactly what had caught my eye.

Location: The Galapagos

Photographer: Laura Storm