The Art of Sardine Ball – Survivorship of the Reflective Sardines

Amlos Nachoum was entranced with how the Sardines in the Pacific Ocean formed a ball to evade its attackers, the formidable Striped Marlins and the ever-resilient Sea Lions.

Professional photographer Amlos Nachoum captured this image of Sardines whom are native to the Pacific Ocean in a beautiful ball of shimmering lights. However, the reason for the said event might not be as beautiful as the brutal cycle of life takes place.

When threatened, Sardines form themselves into a large ball and as predators attack, in this image, Striped Marlins and Sea Lions gathered as the reflective Sardines catches the attention of these predators. Blue-striped marlins are residents of the Pacific Ocean along with Californian Sea Lions who often beach themselves along the beaches of California.

It is a sardine's defense mechanism to form a ball to evade attackers as small balls mean it is hard for attackers to pinpoint a survivor. Nachoum noticed the shape that the bait ball formed and how the light beautifully reflected and immediately captivated them.

This transcendent photograph of nature at play and sardines arranged neatly into a shape warranted a Platinum Medal by the 2022 MUSE Photography Awards under the category Nature Photography – Natural Art.