Killer Whale Image from Inaugural Murihiku Expedition Wins National Award
Colin Aitchison, who took part in the inaugural Murihiku ki Te Tonga Expedition to the Ross Sea in February 2023, won a national photography award for an image he recorded on the expedition. His winning entry of killer whales frolicking in an ice channel was awarded ‘Best UAV Image 2023’ at the annual UAV NZ Conference on Oct 30, 2023. Colin is both a highly experienced drone pilot with his own company, Skyworks, as well as an accomplished photographer and videographer who has won many awards both nationally and internationally. Together with New Zealand film making icon Anthony ‘Antz’ Powell, Colin is pioneering the use of drones for research on marine mammals in the Ross Sea as part of the Murihiku ki Te Tonga programme. This is made possible in partnership with Heritage Expeditions, who support conservation and research in New Zealand and the Ross Sea Sector. You can see more of the beautiful views captured by Colin’s drone in Antarctica on the Murihiku ki Te Tonga YouTube Channel.
Antarctic Type-C killer whales (kākahi) travel along a channel made by the expedition ship in the newly refrozen sea ice. McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, February 2023. Image by Colin Aitchison
Posted: 6 November 2023