National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year 2018
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The National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year contest celebrates stunning pictures taken by all levels of photographers around the world. Takahashi took her grand prize-winning photo, titled “Mermaid,” off the coast of Japan's Kumejima Island.
"I was fortunate to have encountered a humpback whale with her calf on my first day snorkeling. Most of the time, the calf stayed close to her mom. At one point, the calf began jumping and tapping its tail on the water near us— it was very friendly and curious."
"I was fortunate to have encountered a humpback whale with her calf on my first day snorkeling. Most of the time, the calf stayed close to her mom. At one point, the calf began jumping and tapping its tail on the water near us— it was very friendly and curious."
