A remarkable photograph of a whip spider taken in a cave in the Dominican Republic has earned high recognition in the Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. The image, titled "Cave Stalker," was captured by Beckett Robertson, a Canadian teenager, and received a "Highly Commended" award in the 15-17 years category.

Robertson discovered the amblypygid, scientifically known as Phrynus longipes, on the ceiling of Cueva Boulevard del Atlántico in Samaná, Dominican Republic. The challenging photography conditions required him to carefully position himself between stalactites and stalagmites in a cave filled with numerous spiders. The amblypygid's antenna-like legs were in constant motion, creating additional difficulty for capturing the perfect shot, but eventually remained still long enough for Robertson to photograph the creature.

Amblypygids, commonly known as whip spiders, belong to a fascinating group of arachnids that can be found in various environments including caves, rock crevices, under leaf litter, and even in termite nests. These unique creatures are characterized by their front pair of legs, which have evolved into long, whip-like limbs that function as sensory organs, helping them navigate their surroundings and detect prey or threats.

The competition celebrates images that showcase animal portraiture, behavior, and action shots, as well as broader wildlife habitats and artistic interpretations of the natural world. Entries are judged based on their quality, style, and originality, with Robertson's image standing out among submissions from photographers aged 15 to 17 years.

Robertson captured the winning image using an OM System OM-1 camera with a 60mm f2.8 macro lens, shooting at 1/400 second at f10 with ISO 250. He utilized a Godox TT350 O flash and Cygnustech macro diffuser to achieve the proper lighting in the cave environment.

As a passionate conservation and nature advocate, Robertson has dedicated particular focus to highlighting the importance of insects and arachnids in global ecosystems. He has served as a Junior and Teen Kingston Field Naturalist for 12 years and has traveled extensively to photograph arthropods in various countries including Canada, Costa Rica, Singapore, Thailand, and the United States. His expertise and dedication to entomology led to his role as a Digitisation Technician in the Entomology Department at the Royal Ontario Museum during summer 2023.

The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition encourages visitors to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the natural world through images that celebrate nature's awe-inspiring beauty while urging protection of these environments. The competition continues to showcase remarkable wildlife photography that advances scientific knowledge, spreads awareness of important environmental issues, and nurtures global appreciation for nature.