This photo received over 75% of the votes. Photographer Bruce Argyle of Alpine UT, Red Fleet Reservoir August 1998, Nikonos V with 2 YS-50 strobes and 20 mm lens. "I was herding a crawdad backwards, trying to get a picture. It kept stirring up the mud, so  I'd poke it with a finger so it would scoot away from the mud cloud. Finally it backed up against the rock, and believing itself trapped, raised its claws to fight."

Only two crayfish photos were among the finalists; the voters seemed to like crawdads. Photographer Bruce Argyle of Alpine UT, Scofield Reservoir September 1998, Nikonos V with 2 YS-50 strobes and 20 mm lens. "Herds of large crayfish cover the bottom at Scofield. This guy was captured in mid-jump by the strobes in a miracle of split-second timing."

This six-foot bat ray was a solid winner among our voters. Photographer Dominic Bria of Lehi UT, Catalina Island July 1998, Sea & Sea Seamaster Pro EX with single YS-60 strobe. "We were swimming along the shallows when my dive buddy grabbed my arm. I turned to see the bat ray explode off the bottom. I hit the shutter without aiming, hoping I'd gotten the picture."

These three snoozing nurse sharks were actually at Utah's Bonneville Seabase, even though entered in the world-wide category. Photographer Mike Engberson of Highland UT, Bonneville Seabase October 1998, Sea & Sea MMII w 20 mm conversion lens, YS-60 strobe. "The sharks were in their sleeping cave at a depth of ten feet. The wide-angle lens makes the water look clear."

California's Channel Islands are a popular site for Utah's diving families. Gary was diving with his dad when he took this picture. Photographer Gary Argyle of Alpine UT, Catalina Island July 1998, Sea & Sea MX-10 with YS-40 strobe. "The garibaldi was above me, swimming past rocks. I tilted to camera to create an interesting lighting angle."