Photographer: Carlos Aguilera
Code: PBC503599
DESCRIPTION
The Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) is probably the largest fish ever to have existed on Earth, remaining unchanged for about 200 million years. It's estimated to reach a maximum length of 20 meters and live for about 100 years. Feeding on plankton, small fish, shrimp, and squid, it captures prey by swimming slowly with its mouth open. This enormous shark leads a solitary life but migrates annually to feeding or breeding grounds, sometimes gathering in groups of hundreds. After mating, females incubate eggs inside their uterus and give birth to live pups measuring 50 cm: they are therefore ovoviviparous animals. In La Paz Bay, up to 108 individuals have been counted together between November and March, but encounters are possible throughout the year.
The image immortalizes the incredible majesty of the Whale Shark, the gentle giant of the oceans. With its imposing silhouette and harmoniously blending shades of blue, this magnificent marine creature captivates the eyes and captures the essence of oceanic beauty. Its white spots and shades of blue and gray adorn its massive body, making it an extraordinary spectacle of mother nature.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Carlos Aguilera is a photographer from Los Montesinos (Alicante). He studied Audiovisual Communication and the Master in Art Production and Research at the University of Granada. In 2019 he received the FRAGMENTOS grant awarded by the Unió de Periodistes Valencians to develop his work “Educandos de Benejúzar”. He has participated in several exhibitions, among others: Un cierto panorama, reciente fotografía de autor en España at Sala Canal (2017), La General within the TEST festival (2017), The start of a very bad day within the FACBA festival (2017) or Ciudad Elegida within Photo Alicante (2015). His work has been published in different exhibition catalogues and within the Cuadernos Valencianos collection edited by Ricardo Cases and Pablo Casino.