Dos Mares Gala: Ocean Symphony & Auction
After reviewing hundreds of submissions from artists around the world, Cristina Mittermeier— renowned conservation photographer and pioneer of the field— selected 20 images to be showcased at the Dos Mares Gala.
I'm honored that my photograph, White Pelicans in Guerrero Negro, was selected and presented at the Dos Mares Gala: Ocean Symphony, held on May 29, 2025, in Mexico City. The Dos Mares initiative is one of North America's most ambitious conservation efforts, led by a coalition of organizations including Fomares, Orgcas, SeaLegacy, Foto Planeta, and others. All funds raised support the promotion and official designation of the Dos Mares Reserve in Baja California Sur. This proposed Marine Protected Area (MPA) aims to preserve marine biodiversity while respecting the livelihoods of artisanal fishers.
The Story Behind the Photo
White Pelicans in Guerrero Negro marks the starting point of my work photographing bird conservation. In 2022, I joined a team of scientists studying an endangered migratory bird, in part as a personal exploration to see what it feels like to be a part of those protecting our natural world. Our pre-season work, led us nearly 1,000 kilometers south of Los Angeles to Guerrero Negro, Baja California Sur, which is known for the grey whale sanctuary within El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Ramsar Wetlands Site. Beyond the whales, this vast landscape serves as vital habitat for thousands of migratory waterbirds, including the White Pelican, and hosts one of the largest commercial saltworks in the world. I found this family of five bathing in the turbulent waters of Ojo de Liebre Lagoon. A reminder that even in the most remote corners, life thrives in quiet resilience.