Husband-and-wife team Monique and Chris Fallows make a living by photographing giant sharks hurtling through the air, as they rocket from the depths to catch seals near the surface.
The phenomenon is best seen near Seal Island, a crowded seal colony near Cape Town, South Africa. There, great whites and other sharks congregate to feed on the pinnipeds.
When seals cross deep water to approach or leave their island sanctuary, the waiting sharks, swimming at depth, hurtle themselves with great strength toward the animals at the surface. The ferocity and momentum of the ascent often results in both predator and prey exploding out of the ocean like a cork from a champagne bottle—a moment that the Fallowses have caught on film for magazines, exhibits, and television documentaries seen all over the world.
This particular photo was taken by a National Geographic photographer when the shark went after a decoy they were towing behind their boat.
"An image that I had always dreamed of was to capture a white shark in mid-flight coming straight toward me in full battle cry, showing just what these animals are really capable of," photographer Chris Fallows said. "On this particular day, we had spent nearly an hour towing our decoy with no success, and the sea conditions were worsening. As we were towing through one of my favorite areas, it suddenly happened. To this day we have never again seen a similar breach."
Here are some other photos of the jumping sharks of Seal Island.
Remind me to never go swimming off this island.