He said on his blog that he was posing for the photo when a sea turtle came up for a breath of air at just the right moment.

The island, according to de Jesus is "one of the world's best known community-managed Marine Protected Area[s]."

De Jesus has been contacted by multiple media outlets on his blog for interviews and to confirm the photo is real.  He told an NBC News producer in the comments that "the photo is authentic, just like the turtle."

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Fans celebrate in the stands after Cape Verde defeated Eswatini in a World Cup qualifying soccer match at Estádio Nacional in Praia, Cape Verde, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, to clinch their qualification for the 2026 World Cup. (Cristiano Barbosa/AP)

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