Award-winning sea creature photos

More than 700 images were submitted for this year's underwater photography contest, put on annually by the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science. Ximena Olds' photo of the headshield sea slug against a brilliant background of green seagrass took home the "best overall" award. Olds is a local Key Biscayne, Fla., resident.

This dashing headshield sea slug photo taken by Ximena Olds (Florida) snagged "best overall" award. CREDIT: Ximena Olds, University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science.

First place in the Wide Angle category went to this Lionfish, a species in the genus Pterois, in the Red sea, taken by Mark Fuller from Israel. CREDIT: Mark Fuller, University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science.

Taking home first place in the Macro category, Canadian Todd Mintz's photo of these cute-as-can-be yellownose gobies, Elacatinus randalli, peering out from bolder brain coral in Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean. CREDIT: Todd Mintz, University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science.

Though this animal doesn't look like a tot, indeed the behemoth is just a babe, a juvenile sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus). The photo, taken in Dominica by Douglas Kahle of Florida took home first place in the animal portrait category. CREDIT: Douglas Kahle, University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science.