After a quick breath and a curious glance at me, a new-season male humpback calf returned to Mum’s protection 20m down. Her nurture and training are crucial to build the strength and endurance required
to survive his first summer migration to the krill-rich waters of Antarctica.
Vava’u, Kingdom of Tonga
Canon EOS 5DS R, Canon EF8-15mm f4L fisheye USM at 18mm, 1/200, f/8, ISO 250,
Nauticam housing with 100mm Zen minidome port, natural light
Photo Credit: Pam Osborn, Western Australia
FLUFFY EASTERN GREY
EASTERN GREY KANGAROO Macropus giganteus
I captured this curious eastern grey kangaroo from a trail in Mount Ainslie Nature Reserve in Canberra, late on a winter’s day. I converted the image to monochrome to reduce the impact of colour noise from the high ISO and to highlight the texture of the kangaroo’s fur.
Mount Ainslie Nature Reserve, Australian Capital Territory
Nikon D7200, Sigma 150–600 Sport, 1/1000, f/6.3, ISO 6400, monopod
Photo Credit: Jennie Stock, Western Australia
PHIL’S WORLD
COMMON WOMBAT Vombatus ursinus
The snow was deep after a week of storms, and grass close to the
surface was hard to find. The world had little detail except for the dead, white, skeletal snow gums left over from the 2003 fires and the wombats. I took advantage of the white background to capture both subjects together.
Photographing sand dunes fascinates me. Forever changing, the same system can provide endless possibilities.
Wedge Island, Western Australia
DJI Phantom, 1/1600, f/6.3, ISO 100
Photo Credit: Dylan Fox, Western Australia
PLAYTIME
NEW ZEALAND FUR SEAL Arctocephalus forsteri
These resident seal pups were photographed at Wharariki Beach, playing near a natural tidal pool that is only exposed at low tide. They soon became oblivious to my presence and slowly moved closer to where I was patiently waiting with my camera.
Wharariki Beach, Tasman Region, New Zealand
Nikon D-800, Nikon 70–200mm f2.8, 1/500, f/5.6, ISO 140, handheld
Photo Credit: Alex V.J. Steffé, Queensland
IN THE SPEAKER
NORTHERN LAUGHING TREE FROG
Litoria rothii
This northern laughing tree frog has decided that rather than a natural structure, this large outdoor speaker is a suitable and safe retreat from the heat and predators of the day. It sat comfortably in the morning sun, despite music being played and vibrating through the equipment.
Gaeta, Queensland
Canon 7D MkII, Tamron 90 mm f/2.8 macro, 1/125, f/7.1, ISO 250, Yongnuo 560 III flash, handheld, SMDV 60 speedbox diffuser, Yongnuo wireless controller
Photo Credit: Ethan Mann, Queensland
FACE OFF
FAMILY Antennariidae
A solemn-looking grey anglerfish (aka frogfish) lays still, moving only its eyes as it lies in wait for its next unsuspecting meal to swim past. This is an expert hunter that walks, swims very
little, and owns one of the fastest-moving set of jaws in the underwater world.
Gold Coast Seaway, Queensland
Nikon D810, Nikon 60mm AF-S micro, 1/320, f/18, ISO 100, Sea & Sea YS250 Pro flash, Sea & Sea MDX810 housing, subject top lit using a single strobe with a
Retra LSD (snoot) attached
Photo Credit: Andy Wingate, Queensland
EYE TO EYE
HUNTSMAN SPIDER
FAMILY Sparassidae
When I came across this huntsman spider, it slowly tiptoed out from a small branch, onto a leaf, and stopped on a spot where I watched it. Alarmingly, it looked me in the eye and it appeared to be observing me instead. I choose to freeze the moment.
Photo Credit: Yicai Chang, Australian Capital Territory
KILLER INSTINCTS
FALSE KILLER WHALE Pseudorca crassidens
False killer whales can be found in many of the world’s oceans.
A mystery of the cetacean world, these elusive encounters are very
rare. This one used loud clicks and whistles as it passed beneath
me, while letting out a stream of bubbles – intimidation tactics to
protect the young calf below.
Kingdom of Tonga
Canon 1DX MkII, Canon 8–15mm fisheye, 1/320, f/4, ISO 320
Southern pygmy leatherjackets and other leatherjacket species bite and hold onto sponges and seaweed at night to anchor and avoid drifting in the current. This individual has attached itself to an encrusting ascidian species. The similarity of patterns caught my eye.
Chowder Bay, New South Wales
Sony NEX7 (mirrorless), Sony 30mm, 1/100, f16, ISO 200,
INON strobes, handheld, Nauticam underwater housing
Photo Credit: Peter McGee, New South Wales
ALONE
Kauri Creek’s mangrove-lined estuary was once used for rafting
timber to sawmills in Maryborough. It’s a beautiful place with many turtles, dugong, birds – my favourite camping spot! On the last day of this trip, the sun, wind and tide finally cooperated with my plans.
Kauri Creek, Tuan State Forest, Queensland
DJI Mavic 2 Pro Hasselblad L1D-20c, 10, 1/240, f/2.8,
ISO 100, CASA registered to fly sub 2kg RPA in standard
operating conditions
Photo Credit: Lianne B Loach, Queensland
HomeTopicsWildlifeAG Nature Photographer of the Year 2020: Monochrome shortlist
AG Nature Photographer of the Year 2020: Monochrome shortlist
By AG STAFF•26 June 2020
FLUFFY EASTERN GREY. EASTERN GREY KANGAROO (Macropus giganteus) I captured this curious eastern grey kangaroo from a trail in Mount Ainslie Nature Reserve in Canberra, late on a winter’s day. I converted the image to monochrome to reduce the impact of colour noise from the high ISO and to highlight the texture of the kangaroo’s fur.Image credit: Jennie Stock, Western Australia
Stunning photos of landscapes and animals sit side by side in a gallery that may be without colour, but certainly isn’t without interest. Photographs could be sepia-toned or infrared. These photos will be exhibited at the South Australian Museum in Adelaide from Friday 28 August until Sunday 15 November 2020.