The Sardine Run is one of nature's greatest events.
Each summer, millions of sardines migrate north along the South African East coast towards warmer waters. Renowned marine photographer Daniel Botelho has been lucky to capture this stunning phenomenon.
Photography © Daniel Botelho
"After one month, driving 1300 miles along South African coast on a mobile operation for the Sardine Run, all the effort paid off when I got into a sardine bait ball during three magical hours. It was a big commitment and a lot of pressure to have the work done but putting myself out of my comfort zone gave me back images and memories that I will take to the end of my life." During three hours, Botelho has been witnessing sardine predation by dolphins, diving seabirds, gannets, tunas and had an encounter with a blue marlin. "I first thought it was a sailfish, but when it came closer, I could tell it was a blue marlin by the size and the shape of its dorsal fin."
Photography © Daniel Botelho
Daniel Botelho came back last month from a month-long adventurous expedition near the village of Mdumbi and reminds us not only the beauty of such creatures but the importance of the role of sardines in the food chain off South African's Coast. "All animals deserve respect and have the same right of us as humans to live on Earth. Respect all creatures and respect life. The Sardine Run is doubtless one of the greatest natural events of our Planet Earth. Thank you Earth for allowing me to witness once again the Sardine Run."
