Wind

Australasian gannet, Morus serrator

Renewable energy working in conjunction with wildlife welfare. Apparently flight pattern studies around nesting colonies were conducted before wind turbine installation to ensure blades and birds wouldn’t clash. The project had detractors; especially those living nearby who’ve experienced terrible noise and health issues. Finding sustainable energy options still seems to be a struggle.

Portland, Victoria

Canon EOS 1DX Mk II, 100-400 mm f4.5-5.6L IS II +1.4xIII at 450 mm, 1/2500, f/8, ISO 1600

The Ties that Bind

Australian fur seal, Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus

On the glacial plain of a remote sub-Antarctic island, the impact of globalisation and our obsession with non-degradable plastic is playing out its gruesome course. This fur seal as an inquisitive youngster must have swam through this plastic packing tape and now it is slowly killing him.

Fortuna Plain, Fortuna Bay, South Georgia sub-Antarctic Island

Nikon D4S, AF-S Nikkor 28-300 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR at 200 mm, 1/250, f/8, ISO 200, B+W 77mm UV +Haze MRC filter, handheld, pattern metering mode, auto focus, Adobe RGB Color Space

Gill Net

Marblefish, Bovichtus angustifrons; herring cale, Odax cyanomelas

In most Australian states recreational gillnets are now illegal. However, in Tasmania gill nets or graball nets – due to their non-selective nature – can still be set for six hours at a time. This marblefish and herring cale are likely to be released from this net as dead bycatch.

Tasman Peninsula, Tasmania

Nikon D810, 16-35 mm f4, 1/13, f/18, ISO 400, two Ikelite DS161 strobes, Nauticam housing

Room with a View

Eastern osprey, Pandion cristatus

These eastern ospreys have set up home on a power pole by a busy road near Mossman, north Queensland. The pole provides a stable elevated platform on which to build a nest, complete with views over surrounding cane fields to the coast.

Near Mossman, Queensland

Canon 7D Mk II, Canon 500 mm f4L USM IS II, 1/5000, f/7.1, ISO 400, handheld

Taken in the night

Barn owl, Tyto alba

A barn owl lies dead on the side of the Western Highway between Victoria and South Australia – the all too common but sad result when vehicles at speed meet wildlife at night.

Western Highway just outside Kaniva, Victoria

Nikon d750, Nikon 70-200 mm f/2.8, 1/1000, f/3.5, ISO 10, two Nikon SB910 flash (off camera – rear and front), handheld

Tied

Australasian darter, Anhinga novaehollandiae

This Australasian darter’s bill was covered with fibre and junk. It couldn’t open its bill but I went back to the same location a couple of days later and noticed the bird’s bill was almost free of material.

Lake Monger, Perth, Western Australia

Canon 5D Mk III, Tamron SP 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD AO11 (500 mm), 1/400, f/6.3, ISO 500, handheld

Ghost Forest

Drought conditions reveal the longevity of past land-clearing decisions, with stumps remaining as memorials to their greener past. Getting in close allowed me to use the roots to lead the viewer’s eye through the image, telling the story, with the background kept sharp to convey scale and give depth.

Lake Wartook, Grampians National Park, Victoria

Nikon D600, 16 mm, 1/180, f/8, ISO 400, circular polarising filter, tripod

Crab Blower

Red land crab, Gecarcoide natalis

After drifting at sea, billions of baby red land crabs wash up on Christmas Island and head into the forest – but first they have to cross the road. Parks officers use leaf blowers to help clear the road, allowing residents to drive to work without crushing too many.

Flying fish cove, Christmas Island

Canon EOS-7D Mk II, Canon EF 24-105 mm f/4L IS USM, 1/250, f/8, ISO 800, handheld, +1/3 exposure

The Battle

Black marlin, Istiompax indica

Black marlin (Istiompax indica) are the fastest fish in the ocean and among the largest billfish, growing to almost five metres. They are a prized target for sport fishers who generally practice catch-and-release. However, the impacts of fishing on individuals and their populations remain unknown.

Coral Sea

Nikon D500, Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500 mm f/5.6E ED VR at 220 mm, 1/1000, f/5.6, ISO 720, handheld