2009, Encounters, Laos Selection

Hin giving the bath to Tombac – Laos

Hin giving the bath to Tombac - LaosHin giving the bath to Tombac – Laos

The Lao Loum (one of the 68 ethnic groups present in Laos) maintains traditional relationships with the elephants.
Each elephant belongs to an animal trainer (Cornac) and this exclusive relationship lasts most of their lives.
Here the Cornac Hin gives a bath to Tombac, a 35 years old elephant female

2016, Coral, Mainland France Selection, Underwater Pictures from France

Spirographe (Spirographis spallanzani), Mediterranean sea

Spirographe (Spirographis spallanzani), Mediterranean seaSpirographe (Spirographis spallanzani), Mediterranean sea

The Spirograph is a sea worm living in the Mediterranean Sea, in the Atlantic Ocean and in the North Sea.
This animal, living and fixed on a rock wall, can be seen up to 40 meters deep in the water. Being able to measure up to 35 centimeters long, this animal deploys from its mouth a feather duster of filaments enabling to catch its food and some air. The stem of this sea flower is in reality a tube made out of mucus and sand by the worm.