Finalist - Travel Photographer of the Year. November 2021

Living World Portfolio Category

Covered in a fine layer of pond silt, perfectly formed frog spawn. An epic transformation will take place over the next few weeks and months. In the meantime, the spawn will swell as it absorbs water. The tiny yolk dots will morph into a crescent-like shape and after three weeks, the first tadpoles hatch. I wanted to capture the delicate translucency of the eggs, so I combined both front and back lighting to show their yolk, membranes and jelly coat.

Location: Urban wildlife pond, Esher, England, Surrey, UK

Photographer: Laura Storm