Incoming

Omeo, Victoria

Captured in Omeo, Victoria, looking out towards Ensay as the 2019–20 fires in east Gippsland began to develop. The rising smoke cloud symbolised the impending doom these fires were to bring and the havoc they would cause as they ravaged this beautiful region.

Sony A7Riii, Sony 24–105mm f4 G OSS, 1/250, f/11, ISO 100, tripod

Fractal

Swifts Creek, Victoria

It is not hard to find beautiful grand landscape vistas when we are seeking the beauty nature has to offer us. However, nature is all around us and if we pay attention and look, we can find nature’s most intricate details in the most unexpected of places.

Sony A7Riii, Sony 24–105mm f4 G OSS, 1/4, f/11, ISO 100, tripod

The Fall

Twin Falls, Moreton National Park, New South Wales

I had been to this location when it was bone-dry in the drought of 2019 and thought it might be nice when rain returns. Upon arrival, it was my great delight to see this second fall across the valley, which was full of swirling mist. A magical sight.

Sony A7rii, Sony FE 24–105mm f4 G OSS 105 mm, 0.5, f/18, ISO 50, tripod

Wire coral

Wire coral (Cirrhipathes leutkeni)

Lembeh Strait, Indonesia

Wire coral forms a long, single, unbranched, wire-like stalk that often twists and takes a coil shape. They may reach over 4m in length. This specimen was close to the maximum length and was slowly waving about and coiling/uncoiling in the current.

Canon EOS 7D Mk II, Canon EF8–15 f/4L fisheye USM 8mm Kenko 1.4X Teleplus Pro teleconverter, 1/125, f/8, ISO 200, 2 x Retra flash, handheld

Tarkine Fungus

Balfour Track, Tarkine region, Tasmania

The image of fungi was taken on a very wet autumn day on the Balfour Track in Tasmania’s Tarkine region. Along the track at this time of year, you are immersed in a rainforest world alive with several types of fungus.

Nikon D810, Nikon 70–200mm, f2.8 200mm, 4.0, f/10, ISO 200, Sirui tripod, raw image converted to black and white, all adjustments made in Adobe Lightroom

Tentacles

Mungo National Park, New South Wales

Taken at the Mungo National Park which bears evidence of the oldest civilisation on earth, lunettes such as these, shaped by tide and weather thousands of years ago are fast disappearing under climate change and tourist’s footprints. Mungo is truly spectacular with its alien-like landscapes and is culturally and historically sacred.

Canon 6D Mk II, Tokina 11–17 mm, 1/320, f/7.1, ISO 500

King of the Cape

Palm cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus)

Cape York, Queensland

Palm cockatoos are undoubtedly one of the biggest drawcards for any nature lover wanting to visit Cape York. Naturally shy, to capture a glimpse of these declining birds is a magical experience. Recent fires and cyclones have destroyed valuable nesting trees but education and awareness of their plight may save them in the long run.

Canon 1DX Mk II, Canon 800mm f5.6L IS, 1/1250, f/6.3, ISO 2000, handheld

DNA Helix

Canberra, Australian Capital Territory

Lots of lacewing eggs are laid on the side of two strands of grass. The two spiral groups of eggs wind around each other like coiled pieces of DNA.

Nikon D750, Nikon 105mm macro f2.8, 1/160, f/4.2, ISO 1250, handheld

Laundry Night

Gubbi Gubbi Country, Sunshine Coast, Queensland

Ringtail possums frequent backyards and built up areas. I discovered that ringtails were using our clothesline as a walkway to scamper throughout the garden and trees – even our hanging clothes did not deter them. If only they would fold them for me.

Canon 700D, Canon EF 40mm f2.8, 1/160, f/9.0, ISO 400, custom DSLR housing, Nikon SB-28 flash, Camtraptions PIR motion sensor v2, Camtraptions transmitter and receiver, Zomei M3 tripod