PENGUIN VS THE WORLD

Antarctic tourist numbers are increasing and there are a number of new expedition ships currently under construction for polar tourism operators around the world. Fortunately there are robust guidelines to which Antarctic tour operators must adhere, aimed at avoiding any negative impact on the wildlife of the globally important southern polar environment.

Cape Adare, Antarctica

Canon EOS 7D Mk II, EF 100–400mm f/4.5– 5.6L IS II USM, 1/1000, f/6.3, ISO 200, handheld

CAT B&B SIMPSON DESERT

CAT, FELIS CATUS

On walking off the Rig Road to photograph some hawk nests in a cluster of small trees we noticed something substantial in one of the nests. Thinking it could be a rabbit or other carrion we were surprised to discover a sleeping feral cat. The cat, equally surprised, quickly departed its bed.

Rig Road, Simpson Desert, central Australia

Canon PowerShot SX230 HS, 35mm, 1/320, f/5.0, ISO 160, handheld

LEFT BEHIND

KANGAROO, MACROPUS SP.

Coming across this kangaroo during a shoot in the Adelaide Hills really brought home how fast and intense Australia’s bushfi res can be. The man-made fi re that destroyed this forest was one of the scariest South Australia had experienced in a while and a harsh reminder of the precautions that need to be taken during summer.

Gumeracha, South Australia

Sony A7R, Sony 16–35mm, 1/20, f/10, ISO 100, tripod

SKELETON TREES

Skeleton Trees is a hauntingly abstract perspective of several colonising impacts seen across much of South Australia’s semi-arid environment. Here the now vulnerable she-oak grassy woodland lies in tatters from the hands of European settlement as a result of intense land clearance, rabbit plagues and associated soil degradation.

Eyre Peninsula, South Australia

DJI Phantom 4 Pro, 24mm, 1/60, f/3.5, ISO 100

GRISLY MOONRISE

WHALER SHARK, CARCHARHINIDAE

This whaler shark was found washed up on a beach and its jaw was removed. As I watched the lifeless carcass wash around in the gentle swell with a rising full moon behind, it reminded me that sharks are a crucial part of the ecosystem, but face a variety of formidable threats.

Duesbury Beach, Dalmeny, New South Wales

Nikon D810, Nikon 16–35mm, 30, f/11, ISO 500, tripod, handheld torch

MAROONDAH DAM

A high angle aerial shot of Maroondah Dam. I really liked the contrast between the lush foliage and the mirror-like surface of the water. Reservoirs can have both positive and negative impacts on surrounding ecosystems hence we constantly need to monitor and maintain their integrity.

Maroondah Reservoir Park, Victoria

DJI FC6310 Phantom 4 Pro, 1/120, f/4, ISO 100

TREE GRAVEYARD

Hundreds of dead trees form an intriguing shape in the middle of Advancetown Lake. The trees died as the lake’s water level rose, flooding the ground on which they grew.

Advancetown Lake, Queensland

DJI Phantom 3 Advanced, 20mm f/2.8, 1/400, f/2.8, ISO 100, gimbal-mounted camera

CITY SLICKER

WHITE’S SEAHORSE, HIPPOCAMPUS WHITEI

White’s seahorse thrives in Sydney Harbour’s modified foreshore environment. As I photographed this individual in the early morning light, a plastic wrapper drifted along the opposite side of the swimming enclosure net, momentarily making its way into the frame. Plastic pollution is an emerging threat throughout the world’s oceans.

Manly Cove, New South Wales

Nikon D810, Sigma 15mm, 1/125, f/22, ISO 100, two Ikelite DS161 strobes, Nauticam housing

The AG Nature Photographer of the Year Awards are sponsored by Coral Expeditions.