While walking up to Gertrude Saddle, I came across these exquisite birds flitting between the rocks. They are the only truly alpine bird in New Zealand.
Milford Sound, Fiordland National Park, New Zealand
Canon EOS 5D MkIII, Canon EF
70–200mm f/4L IS USM at 200mm, 1/1600, f/5.6, ISO 2000
Photo Credit: Scott Butler, New South Wales
BLUE LIGHTNING
SHORTFIN MAKO SHARK Isurus oxyrinchus
STATUS: ENDANGERED
The electrifying metallic blue of a mako is a perfect colour match for the inky oceanic waters that it calls home. Shortfin mako are a global species, but they prefer warmer rather than cooler waters, such as in northern New Zealand. Mature male shortfin mako reach about 3m in length, while females can grow up to a metre longer.
Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand
Canon EOS 5D MkII, Canon 14mm f/2.8 L II, 1/200, f/9,
ISO 250, 2x Ikelite DS 125 flashes, Aquatica 5D MkII housing
Photo Credit: Richard Robinson, New Zealand
FACING EXTINCTION
CELEBES CRESTED MACAQUE Macaca nigra
STATUS: CRITICALLY ENDANGERED
Seeing these majestic animals in the wild is a humbling experience, especially since humans are responsible for the challenges they face: illegal
logging, the demand for bushmeat and a cruel pet trade. By taking this picture, I wanted to capture what would be lost if we don’t protect them.
North Sulawesi, Indonesia
Olympus OM-D EM-5, Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm f/2.8 macro, 1/15, f/2.8, ISO 1600, handheld, ISO set at 1600 but
brightness level later adjusted to match the real experience in the jungle
These birds had full crops and it was late in the day, with strong and gusty winds. It looked like there were smiles on the faces of the cockatoos as they wheeled,
turned, dived and soared. Surely humans are not the only ones who have fun!
Moora, Western Australia
Canon 1DX MkII, Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM, 1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 400, handheld
Photo Credit: Keith Lightbody, Western Australia
CYCLE OF LIFE
DINGO Canis lupus dingo
A green turtle carcass that washed up on the beach during the high tide, still containing some extremely pungent rotten meat, attracted this beautiful female dingo for her early morning breakfast on Fraser Island. A lot of effort was expended to tear away a meagre meal.
Fraser Island, Queensland
Canon EOS-1D X MkII, 400mm, 1/1600, f/5.6, ISO 1250
Photo Credit: Katerina Gebrtova, Queensland
GHOSTLY TURTLES
GREEN SEA TURTLE Chelonia mydas
STATUS: ENDANGERED
Two endangered green sea turtles gracefully glide through the coral gardens on Lady Elliot Island at dusk. Using a slow shutter speed, I wanted to make these green turtles appear as ghostly figures to express that with decreasing numbers, these majestic creatures may, unfortunately, one day become extinct.
Lady Elliot Island, Queensland
Canon EOS 5D MkIV, Canon EF 8–15mm f/4 fisheye, 1/2, f/14,
ISO 100, 2x INON Z-330 Strobes at half power, AquaTech Elite 5D4 housing, handheld
Photo Credit: Jordan Robins, New South Wales
TASMANIAN DEVIL
TASMANIAN DEVIL, Sarcophilus harrisii
STATUS: ENDANGERED
Tasmanian devils were once common throughout Tasmania. A facial tumour has resulted in severe population declines throughout much of their range. The devils on Maria Island are an insurance population used to supplement the numbers and genetic diversity of other populations in Tasmania.
Maria Island, Tasmania
Canon 5D MkIII, EF40mm f/2.8 STM, 1/160, f/14, ISO 400,
3x Canon 430II speedlites, tripod using Camtraptions PIR v3
Photo Credit: Jasmine Vink, Queensland
LEATHERBACK SMILE
LEATHERBACK TURTLE Dermochelys coriacea
STATUS: VULNERABLE
Kei Archipelago sits in a remote part of Indonesia, east of Ambon. Each year, thousands of jellyfish
swarm into the bay and it isn’t long before the Pacific leatherback turtles arrive. This individual had surfaced for air but also performed a number of spins close to the surface, dislodging the barnacles on its
carapace – a behaviour never witnessed before.
We have lift off – nearly. Even before flight muscles and feathers are fully developed, fairy tern chicks practise getting airtime by jumping and flapping into the wind. Beach-nesting bird chicks are highly vulnerable while they remain flightless. Fortunately, it won’t be long
until this youngster takes to the skies.
Point Walter, Western Australia
Canon EOS 7D MkII, Canon EF 100–400mm f/4.5–5.6L IS
II USM, 1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 500, handheld
Photo Credit: Claire Greenwell, Western Australia
LET THE GAM BEGIN
SOUTHERN ROYAL ALBATROSS, Diomedea epomophora
STATUS: VULNERABLE
Oblivious to us, these southern royal albatrosses begin a ‘gam’ – an elaborate breeding ritual that
includes bill clacking, staring and ‘sky calling’. Travelling through mountainous seas to Campbell Island, New Zealand’s southernmost subantarctic territory, was at times a grim test of endurance and also one of the most exhilarating things I’ve ever done.
Campbell Island, New Zealand
Nikon D750, Nikon 80–400mm, 1000, f/7.1, ISO 400, handheld
HomeTopicsWildlifeAG Nature Photographer of the Year 2020: Threatened species shortlist
AG Nature Photographer of the Year 2020: Threatened species shortlist
By AG STAFF•26 June 2020
NEW ZEALAND ROCK WREN (Xenicus gilviventris). STATUS: ENDANGERED. While walking up to Gertrude Saddle, I came across these exquisite birds flitting between the rocks. They are the only truly alpine bird in New Zealand.Image credit: Scott Butler, New South Wales
In this category, we asked for photos of flora or fauna that have been deemed threatened, rare, vulnerable or endangered. This shortlist is a reminder of how many beautiful animals face extinction if we do not act.
These photos will be exhibited at the South Australian Museum in Adelaide from Friday 28 August until Sunday 15 November 2020.