"Galaxies in Her Eyes" Award-Winning Photo Honors Injured Whale's Legacy

Underwater photographer Rachel Moore captured an extraordinary close-up of a female humpback whale's eye near Mo'orea, French Polynesia. Titled "Galaxies in Her Eyes," the striking image depicts a vivid blue iris resembling a cosmic landscape. Moore bonded with the whale, named "Sweet Girl," who swam up and positioned her eye inches from the camera, allowing Moore to shoot the natural-light photo using a Sony Alpha 1.

Tragically, Sweet Girl was struck by a fast-moving vessel four days later, sustaining fatal jaw injuries. Moore channeled her grief into advocacy, using the photo to campaign for Tahiti's seasonal speed limits to protect marine life. 

The image won first place in the Wonder category of the 2025 UN World Oceans Day Photo Competition, bringing global attention to the tragedy as officials debate implementing 12-knot speed limits to prevent future vessel strikes.