'Swimming all over': Photographer's close encounter with one of the most venomous reptiles in the world

Swimming via the clear and distant waters of Fiji's Nice Sea Reef, a photographer spied one thing that might convey most to a grinding halt.

Juergen Freund, from Far North Queensland, was sharing the ocean with dozens of highly-venomous sea snakes.

Slightly than fearing the banded sea kraits, he felt elation and began heading towards them.

They "arrived from each route, swimming throughout" him, which allowed him to seize a surprising portrait.

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The one escape for a lot of kilometres from the falling tide for these aquatic banded sea kraits (Laticauda colubrina) is that this lone mangrove tree in the midst of the ocean within the Nice Sea Reef. (Juergen Freund, Wildlife Photographer of the 12 months)

Banded sea kraits are one of the crucial venomous reptiles on this planet, however Freund mentioned they're stunning to witness up shut.

"Sea kraits are very inquisitive about absolutely anything," he informed 9news.com.au.

"They're usually discovered swimming via the reef searching small fish in holes and coral crevices the place they always stick their heads into.

"I had labored with this species of sea krait on many events and knew that they don't seem to be aggressive - however you by no means know."

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On this file picture, a banded sea krait is seen swimming within the shallows within the Solomon Islands. (Getty Photos/iStockphoto)

As precaution Freund had his spouse be careful for any inquisitive snakes as he approached the tree, which was getting used as a shelter because the tide receded.

"These are wild animals and do belong to probably the most venomous creatures on Earth," he mentioned.

"In case of a chew, there would most certainly be no antivenom out there anyplace close by as we have been in a really distant space.

"I used to be sporting a full-body neoprene go well with with a hood and my spouse Stella would inform me about any snake swimming up from behind me."

"I used to be not likely apprehensive. However I deal with them with the utmost respect."

Freund's danger paid off.

Earlier this month it was introduced his picture was "Extremely Recommended" on this yr's Wildlife Photographer of the 12 months Competitors, throughout the Behaviour: Amphibians and Reptiles class.

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Juergen Freund and his spouse Stella had the possibility to attend the celebration on the Pure Historical past Museum in London and "dressed as much as the nines". (Instagram: @juergenfreund)

"It excites me to nonetheless be on this planet's greatest 100 chosen photos," he mentioned, including that sooner or later he'd like to photograph whales.

"Except for being stunning, there may be communication and interplay concerned.

"Apart from that my fascination with nature goes approach past a bucket checklist, tick off or should shoot species.

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"I get as excited photographing or filming some fascinating insect behaviour as I'd with an elephant or jaguar, which I've by no means documented."