Carry an extraordinary ocean encounter in your wallet with this limited-edition certification card. Captured on Western Australia’s Ningaloo Reef, the card showcases a rare moment as two whale sharks feed alongside one another. This design is available as an eCard. The physical card version of this card has now sold out.
This eCard is a must-have for lovers of sharks or marine megafauna.
Meet the Photographer – Brooke Pyke
Brooke Pyke is an award-winning wildlife photographer based in Exmouth, Western Australia, on the Ningaloo Coast.
Brooke’s introduction to photography began in high school, mastering black and white film photography with an old camera. Combining this early passion with a love of the ocean, Brooke became a PADI Scuba Instructor, but quickly realized her true path was blending photography with scuba diving. As Brooke explains, underwater photography “quickly became an obsession, and I began teaching myself the craft with the same curiosity that had drawn me to the darkroom years before.”
It wasn’t long until Brooke’s dedication paid off. During work with the Marine Megafauna Foundation, she captured an image of “a manta ray feeding through a soup of plastic pollution that quickly made international news and went on to win an award in conservation photography.” Recognizing the power of a single image, Brooke relocated to Exmouth to further her photography career.
In 2022, Brooke received international recognition at the Ocean Photographer of the Year awards. But as Brooke explains, “what fills me with the most pride and fulfilment is the effect my work has on other people. I regularly receive messages from strangers telling me that my photography inspired them to try diving or snorkeling for the first time, or that they are now pursuing a career in marine science or ocean photography. Those messages mean more to me than any award.”
Reflecting on what matters most, Brooke adds: “Knowing that my imagery has moved someone, sparked a curiosity, or deepened a connection to the ocean — that is almost wholly why I do what I do.”
The Story Behind the Gentle Giants of the Blue Card
Seeing a whale shark on Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia is nothing unusual. In fact, it’s one of the best places in the world to see one. But while solitary sightings are common, seeing multiple whale sharks in the same space is rare, and capturing two in a single shot is even more extraordinary.
As Brooke explains, “Whale sharks are known to be quite independent marine giants, seeing them together is not very common as they mostly roam the oceans solitarily.”
Brooke recalls the moment vividly: “This particular day we had a bloom of tropical krill off the coast of the Ningaloo. This drew many whale sharks into the same small area and gave us a unique opportunity to witness multiple whale sharks feeding together.”
Are whale sharks your favorite animal or are you inspired by Pyke’s story? Purchase this eCard today and apply it to any of your existing certifications. Click the button below to buy this card or view our other limited-edition designs.
