B IG PI C T U R E Praia da Ursa, Sintra, Portugal I happened across this bed of mussels while exploring the intertidal zone of Praia da Ursa, a spectacular beach on the Atlantic west coast of Portugal. I’d noticed them on a previous visit some days before but the rising tide prevented me from taking any photographs. On this occasion, the conditions were perfect and I was able to show the mussels in their natural habitat. Although firmly attached to the rocks and going nowhere, the swathe of molluscs reminded me of a marching legion — their shells like the shields of soldiers. THEO BOSBOOM • PHOTOGRAPHER


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This photograph, Strength in Numbers, was highly commended in the Animals in their Environment category of the 2024 Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition


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