Images of the ANZANG Nature Photography exhibition at the South Australian Museum.

2009 People's Choice, ANZANG 2009

My best mate passed away at 3am the morning I took this. I left his house about 6am and thought I would capture his last sunrise. I only took five shots as my eyes were full of tears. I believe the Pelican gave him his final salute. RIP mate.

Mandurah wetlands, Western Australia.

Congratulations to winners of the South Australian Museum's People's Choice lucky prize draw.  The following people have won copies of Australasian Nature Photography: B Woolford of Kimba SA, J Wells of Hazelwood Park SA, S Potter of Collinswood SA, A Walling of Two Wells SA, L Charrington of Casuarina NT.

Overall Winner, ANZANG 2009

The storms created by a ‘heat trough’ led to bushfires sparked by lightning. The strong outflow
winds from these storms drove the fires into inaccessible land, making firefighting on the ground
difficult. Dangerous spot fires were hammered by the vigilance of the aerial firefighting aircraft.
30 km north of Temora, south-western New South Wales.

2009 ANZANG Portfolio Prize Winner

Justin Gilligan, New South Wales

Winner, Animal Behaviour, ANZANG 2009

I was lying beside a small gravel scrape photographing the many birds coming in to drink in the heat
of the day. A male Goshawk landed close to another and they immediately began to size one another
up. As this escalated to wing lifting, I squeezed off a series of shots before the left-hand bird relented and moved away. The entire confrontation, resolved without contact, lasted less than two seconds!
Near Broome, Western Australia.

Runner up, Animal Behaviour, ANZANG 2009

Winner, Junior, ANZANG 2009

I was out on the rocks at the beach and found a large collection of colourful Starfish. While photographing this one, I decided to make some ripples come in across the picture for effect.
Depot Beach, New South Wales.

Runner up, Junior, ANZANG 2009

Winner, Our Impact, ANZANG 2009

Natural impacts and predation have a heavy toll on all species of Turtles, and Green Turtles are no exception. Human impacts – including pollution, complete destruction of feeding and breeding areas, and hunting – are devastating Turtle populations.
Moore Reef, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland.

Runner up, Our Impact, ANZANG 2009

Winner, Interpretive, ANZANG 2009

In March the rising sun lights up an apartment complex adjacent to the old botanical gardens. A roost of Sacred Ibis flies in front of the building each morning. I was trying to capture the birds in their urban setting when I noticed the reflection of the building in the pond at my feet, and Water Lilies floating in
the incredible light.
Brisbane Botanical Gardens, Queensland.

Runner up, Interpretive, ANZANG 2009

Winner, Black & White, ANZANG 2009

This image was shot from the sea rescue tower on the banks of the creek. I noticed that two children entering the water upstream had disturbed the two Pelicans, and they were heading my way. Luckily, they continued following the creek and flew below the tower I was on.
Kingscliff, Cudgen Creek, New South Wales.

Runner up, Black & White, ANZANG 2009

Winner, Threatened Species, ANZANG 2009

This Gecko, one of our most striking reptiles, is one of several that are now rare due to significant habitat loss in the Brigalow Belt bioregion. This individual was found on a recent ‘herping’ (looking for Frogs and reptiles) trip to a small national park in this area.
Southern Brigalow Belt, Queensland.

Runner up, Threatened Species, ANZANG 2009

Winner, Wilderness, ANZANG 2009

The intense heatwave which created the Victorian fires also caused a ‘heat trough’ in inland New South Wales. The accompanying storms did not drop much rain but created strong downburst winds and lightning. Shown here is a ‘microburst’, a strong downward flowing burst that can cause destructive winds. Here they picked up the dust from the drought-affected plains.
20 km north of Temora, south-western New South Wales.

Runner up, Wilderness, ANZANG 2009

Winner, Underwater, ANZANG 2009

This lake has been disconnected from the sea for almost a decade. In the absence of predation, the lake now provides the perfect habitat for thousands of pulsating Jellyfish. I dived in one afternoon and watched in amazement as light streamed through the lime-green waters onto the animated Jellyfish.
Wallagoot Lake, New South Wales.

Runner up, Underwater, ANZANG 2009

Winner, Botanical, ANZANG 2009

The Climbing Sundew (Drosera macrantha) is a scrambling herb with leaves modified to ensnare insects. The margins of the cup-shaped leaves bear glandular hairs that produce a sticky substance. Insects become trapped by this substance and are digested by enzymes produced by the leaf. As Sundews grow commonly on nutrient-poor soils, insects probably play an important role in supplying the plant’s essential nitrogen.
Freycinet, Tasmania.

Runner up, Botanical, ANZANG 2009

Winner, Animal Portrait, ANZANG 2009

As this beautiful Snake (Pseudechis porphyriacus) was exploring the forest, I lay on the ground in front
of it to get a nice low shot. The Snake raised the front part of its body off the ground and flattened out to let me know I should back off a little!

Barmah Forest, Victoria.

Runner up, Animal Portrait, ANZANG 2009

Overall Winner, ANZANG 2008