EARTH, WATER, FIRE, SKY. Although natural in appearance, this scene would not exist without extensive human presence. Advancetown Lake can be seen, created by Hinze Dam. The apparent bushfire is a large burn-off operation in full swing. Finally, light pollution from the Gold Coast colours the night sky. Lower Beechmont, Queensland. Nikon D600, Nikon 24-85mm f3.5-4.5, 16 min 13 sec, f/8, ISO 100, tripod

ROAD TO ICE. Antarctica is often seen to be untouched and pristine and rightfully so. However, being such a desolate and fragile place, even the smallest activities can have a huge impact on the environment, even if it is just aesthetic. I believe this image captures a part of the impact we have there. Castle Rock, Ross Island, Antarctica. Nikon D810, Tamron SP 24-70mm F/2.8 Di VC USD, 1/400, f/7.1, ISO 64, handheld

SATIN BOWERBIRD, PLITONORHYNCHUS VIOLACEUS. Unfortunate attraction. Satin bowerbirds are attracted to blue objects in the mating season and this unfortunate female has become ensnared in a discarded blue plastic ring, possibly given to her by her mate. She is now in great distress as revealed by her foot posture. Picnic area near Gosford, New South Wales. Canon 600D, EF-S 18–200 mm lens @ 180 mm, 1/320, f/10, ISO 200, handheld

CAT, FELIS CATUS. Perfect predator. This aggressive male cat was one of 140 trapped to help reduce impacts on the endangered red-tailed phascogale, a small carnivorous marsupial that has suffered an estimated 99 per cent reduction in its distribution since European settlement. Feral cats and foxes are now among the main threats to this unique species. Harrismith, Western Australia. Canon EOS 40D, Sigma 17-35 2.8DG (set at 17mm), 1/250, f/8, ISO 125, 550ex (evaluative -1) flash, handheld

MORAY EEL, GYMNOTHORAX SP. Artificial dwelling. This Lord Howe Island moray eel had turned someone’s trash to treasure by taking up residence in this discarded metal pipe. Endemic to the Lord Howe Island region, this individual was photographed in southern New South Wales suggesting a more poignant impact related to warming seas and climate change. Narooma, New South Wales. Nikon D800, Nikon 60mm, 1/200, f/29, ISO100, Ikelite housing, twin DS161 strobes, handheld

TRACKS. This partly dried out riverbed is obviously accessed by local wildlife as a source of water. Our impact is clear from above, yet would go almost unnoticed from the ground. It’s easy to underestimate our impact as we leave our tracks behind. Herbert River Gorge, Queensland. Canon 6D, Canon L series 70-200mm f4 IS, 1/2000, f/5, ISO 200, handheld

PURPLE SWAMPHEN, PORPHYRIO PORPHYRIO. Just garbage. The ponds at this wetland form a sump which takes the water from nearby roads and the rubbish too. This purple swamphen was picking through the rubbish in search of food. However there was no food, just garbage. Whites Road Wetland, Bolivar, South Australia. Canon EOS 7D, Canon 500mm F4L IS II, 1/800, f/4, ISO 400, handheld

GREY-HEADED FLYING FOX, PTEROPUS POLIOCEPHALUS. Entangled. I’m a wildlife carer and had just completed my bat course, this was my first rescue. During summer bats and birds are frequently caught in fruit tree netting. Not all are rescued immediately or escape fatal injury. This male grey-headed flying fox was lucky. Please use wildlife friendly netting. Sydney, New South Wales. Nikkon D800E, Nikkor 28-300mm, f3.5-5.6, 1/250, f/5.6, ISO 400, handheld

LAKE CARGELLIGO. Lake Cargelligo in central western New South Wales is connected to the Lachlan River. In 2009, toward the end of a nine year drought, the lake was drained to maintain agricultural production downstream, with catastrophic consequences for the lake and associated wetlands. Lake Cargelligo, New South Wales. Rollei SL66, Zeiss Distagon HFT 1:4/50mm, (1/15 sec), (f/8-f/11), ISO (Electronic gain does not apply) meter set to exposure index (EI) 50, Agfa Optima 100/120 colour negative (rated: EI 50) film,  B+W Pol + KR1.5 (warm tone linear polarizer) or B+W KR1.5 (skylight) filter, Cullmann Titan/50mm ball head tripod (photographer’s approximation)