I’m happy to share that one of my wildlife photographs won 3rd place in the National Press Photographers Association July 2025 Monthly Clip Contest for the Southeast Region, Feature/Single category.
California sea lions squabbling along the rocky shoreline of La Jolla, California. Wildlife photo: Ronen Tivony
This NPPA award wildlife photo documents a dramatic moment as California sea lions squabbled along the rocky shoreline of La Jolla, California, a location famous worldwide for its sea lion and seal colonies. La Jolla is a premier destination for nature lovers, wildlife photographers, and tourists who come to witness its thriving coastal wildlife.
About This NPPA Award Wildlife Photo
The photograph captures a squabble erupting among California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) at the La Jolla Cove sea lion colony. La Jolla is internationally known for its year-round population of sea lions and harbor seals, which haul out on the rocky coastline and interact at close range. Territorial disputes like the one shown here are frequent during the breeding season, when dominant males actively defend resting spots along the shoreline.
Making a strong image at La Jolla requires patience and positioning. The animals move quickly, and peak behavioral moments are unpredictable. This image was made by working at low angle along the rocks, waiting for a confrontation to escalate, and timing the frame to the peak of the interaction.
About the NPPA Monthly Clip Contest
The NPPA Monthly Clip Contest is one of the longest-running peer-judged competitions in visual journalism. Each month, entries are evaluated by working photojournalists and photo editors across multiple categories including news, sports, features, and portrait. The Southeast Region contest draws entries from photojournalists and visual journalists across the southeastern United States. Placement in this contest reflects recognition from peers who understand both the technical and editorial demands of the medium.
About Ronen Tivony
Ronen Tivony is an award-winning wildlife photojournalist and Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society with 30 years of professional experience.
His work has appeared in National Geographic, The New York Times, The Guardian, CNN, BBC, TIME, Smithsonian, and other major publications worldwide. In addition to his editorial work, he leads small-group and private wildlife photography workshops across Florida and beyond.