Gerald Nowak
Azores, Portugal A tope shark (Galeorhinus galeus) successfully hunts and swims away with a snipefish in its mouth. This photo was taken just as the shark realized it was swimming directly toward me. In its shock, it almost lost its prey, performed a 180-degree turn and disappeared into the depths of the Atlantic. The look on its face when it realized it was swimming in the wrong direction resulted in a unique image.
Need to Know The best time to experience baitballs in the Azores is during the summer months. July to September is ideal for sharks, mobulas and baitballs in this archipelago roughly 900 miles west of the European mainland.
Photographer Gerald Nowak Instagram: @gerald_nowak
Related Reading: 11 Captivating Images From Scuba Diving Magazine's 2025 Photo Contest
