2018
Atlas of Life in the Coastal WIlderness
Wild Eye
Photo Competition
We thank everyone who entered this year’s photo competition.
The images are stunning. They truly capture the rich diversity of wild nature across our region.
The winners were announced on 11th January at an exhibition hosted by Bayd & Belinda Rosenbaum, EyeQ, Merimbula.
Snow Wombat Running
by Harrison Warne
Caption: It’s hard to believe this image was taken in the south coast region. After a large east-coast low dumped a load of snow on top of the escarpment I travelled to Mt Darrah where I captured this image.
Location: South-East Forest NP
(entry 093)
Death Mosaic
by Harrison Warne
Caption: On the arrival of spring rain, tens of thousands of termites leave the nest in search of a new place to set up. The unfortunate reality is most will die long before finding such a place.
Location: Bega
(entry 094)
Winners of the 5 Main Categories
How's the serenity?
by Leo Berzins
Caption: Bar-tailed Godwit (moulting into breeding plumage) enjoying a quiet moment at Merimbula Lake.
Location: Merimbula
(entry 046)
Three Willies
by Toni Ward
Caption: These three little Willie Wagtails left their nest the next day. All three are still thriving.
Location: Kameruka
(entry 045)
Snow Wombat Running
by Harrison Warne
Caption: It’s hard to believe this image was taken in the south coast region. After a large east-coast low dumped a load of snow on top of the escarpment I travelled to Mt Darrah where I captured this image.
Location: South-East Forest NP
(entry 093)
Litoria nudidigita
by Harrison Warne
Caption: I was surprised to find this leaf-green tree frog so late in the year, it was almost winter and the air and water was icy.
Location: South-east Forest NP
(entry 091)
Gippsland Water Dragon
by Tess Poyner
Caption: Seeing these gorgeous male Water Dragons on Mummaga Lake is always such a highlight! I love when they're in having a swim and you are able to create an abstract image with the water patterns.
Location: Mummaga Lake
(entry 123)
Seal on bait ball
by Georgia Poyner
Caption: Australian fur seal rounding up a school of little bellowfish
Location: Narooma
(entry 112)
Herd of Hares
by Harrison Warne
Caption: An aggregation of sea hares in the blue pool, Bermagui.
Location: Blue Pool, Bermagui
(entry 133)
Salt Marsh Veins
by Teena Burnell
Caption: Like veins of mother nature winding through the salt marsh
Location: Panboola
(entry 023)
Redlead Roundhead
by Tess Poyner
Caption: A pair of Redlead Roundhead (Leratiomyces ceres), photographed while searching for mushrooms and Fungi in Narooma!
Location: Box Cutters Rainforest
(entry 125)
I am less than knee's height to a towering tree
by Elizabeth Walton
Caption: We were in the forest searching for Giant Trees. We didn't find any. After 30 years, the forest is still not recovered from harvest, and there are very few hollow trees or other signs of maturity that support life in the forest - especially the threatened species that try to call her home. Zoe raced ahead to hug a tree. She was surprised when she saw the image how large the tree was compared to her own form.
Location: Corunna State Forest
(entry 113)
Mycena species
by Tess Poyner
Caption: This tiny Mycena species was photographed while doing macro photography at Box Cutters Rainforest in Narooma. I love the detail the macro lens is able to capture!
Location: Box Cutters Rainforest, Narooma
(entry 124)
Death Mosaic
by Harrison Warne
Caption: On the arrival of spring rain, tens of thousands of termites leave the nest in search of a new place to set up. The unfortunate reality is most will die long before finding such a place.
Location: Bega
(entry 094)
Butterfly - Ypthima arctous - Dusky Knight
by Max Campbell
Location: Double Creek - Brogo
(entry 075)
Wolf spider with babies on its back
by Tracey Harris
Caption: Walking along the track at the Panboola Wetlands when l noticed this spider as it came out of the grassy area onto the track where l was walking. I thought it was an unusual spider then through my lense realised it had lots of little babies on its back. I think it could be a wolf spider as they are the only ones to carry their babies. I took this photo yesterday afternoon around 6pm.
Location: Panboola Wetlands, Pambula
(entry 058)
Winners of the 3 Special Categories
Seal on bait ball
by Georgia Poyner
Caption: Australian fur seal rounding up a school of little bellowfish
Location: Narooma
(entry 112)
Eastern Grey Kangaroo and Willie Wagtail
by Leo Berzins
Caption: Willie Wagtail perching on the shoulder of an Eastern Grey Kangaroo at Panboola.
Location: Panboola
(entry 095)
Tern around
by Julie Fourter
Caption: Terns were making a meal of the garfish close into shore, just before the tuna hit them!
Location: Mowara
(entry 061)
Lace Monitor Claws
by Tess Poyner
Caption: I photographed this large Lace Monitor while kayaking on Mummaga Lake, Dalmeny. I was fascinated with how long his claws were for climbing!
Location: Mummaga Lake, Dalmeny
(entry 117)
Mycena species
by Tess Poyner
Caption: This tiny Mycena species was photographed while doing macro photography at Box Cutters Rainforest in Narooma. I love the detail the macro lens is able to capture!
Location: Box Cutters Rainforest, Narooma
(entry 124)
Breaching Humpback
by Tess Poyner
Caption: A Humpback Whale breaching of the Coast of Narooma. It’s always such a special experience to see the Whales as they return from their long trip, especially when they’re playing and breaching alongside our boat!
Location: Montague Island, NSW
(entry 119)
Kanji Squirt
by Liam Chandler
Caption: Sitting on the rocks on the northern end of the beach - I watched the Kanji continue to squirt after the swell had come in.
Location: Bournda National Park
(entry 020)
Spring Chicks
by Liam Chandler
Caption: I found a birds nest outside my nana's house - Four hungry chicks inside.
Location: Kalaru, NSW
(entry 021)
For SPECIAL MENTION
Shallow Visitor
by Suzanne Hopkins
Caption: Intrigued by this marine creature found in the shallows at the Bega River. So many different tones and unusual markings which made it a very fascinating specimen on exploration of the local area.
Location: Bega River
(entry 087)
Swamp Wallaby with joey
by Leo Berzins
Location: Picnic Point, Mimosa Rocks National Park
(entry 097)
I am less than knee's height to a towering tree
by Elizabeth Walton
Caption: We were in the forest searching for Giant Trees. We didn't find any. After 30 years, the forest is still not recovered from harvest, and there are very few hollow trees or other signs of maturity that support life in the forest - especially the threatened species that try to call her home. Zoe raced ahead to hug a tree. She was surprised when she saw the image how large the tree was compared to her own form.
Location: Corunna State Forest
(entry 113)
Highly Commended
Godwit bathing
by Leo Berzins
Caption: Bar-tailed Godwit bathing in Merimbula Lake.
Location: Merimbula
(entry 048)
Magical Micro Mushrooms
by Teena Burnell
Caption: These Micro Mushrooms look much more muchier
Location: Goodenia rainforest
(entry 024)
BioLume1
by Peter Whiter
Caption: A small wave excites the Bioluminescence as it gently kisses the shore.
Location: Cattle Bay Eden
(entry 028)
The Giants of Macquarie Street
by Elizabeth Walton
Caption: Locals named this majestic stand of Spotted Gum the Giants of Macquarie Street and appointed a politician or a person of influence as Special Envoy to each tree and asked them to stand up to protect their tree against logging. A 70 year old retiree applied to Forestry Corp to have a community walk created amongst these centurions. He was told to come back and re-apply after the loggers cut them down.
Location: Corruna Forest
(entry 103)
The Golden Roo
by Teena Burnell
Caption: Number one golden rule is keep your distance
Location: Panboola
(entry 031)
Mossy Zen Garden
by Teena Burnell
Caption: Found a natural mossy zen garden a little bit off the beaten track
Location: Goodenia Rainforest
(entry 032)
Gang Gang Munchies
by Teena Burnell
Caption: Noisy like a creaking gate yet so gorgeous
Location: Candelo
(entry 034)
Small Echidna Train
by Rhondda Williams
Caption: These two echidnas were foraging for ants among the tree roots. He was not going to let her out of his sight. It is spring!
Location: Beares Beach, Bermagui
(entry 130)
New Holland Honeyeater
by Toni Ward
Caption: I have always thought of these birds as little flying old paintings.
Location: Eden
(entry 044)
Fur seal
by Peter Harris
Caption: As I sat on the rocks waiting to see a whale I noticed this small fur seal having a rest and giving me a few strange looks.
Location: Tura headland, NSW
(entry 050)
Humpback whale
by Peter Harris
Caption: Just one of the many migrating whale that pass us by each year
Location: Tura headland
(entry 051)
Anemones with lurking crab
by Max Campbell
Caption: The rock pools on the Pulpit Rock platform are lacking in sheltering vegetation and rocky overhangs. This crab does its best among the anemones.
Location: Pulpit Rock, Green Cape
(entry 054)
Bird that tastes like fish
by Julie Fourter
Caption: Down the bottom of our driveway, a Peregrine Falcon decided to make his lunch of a seagull (with no chips)
Location: Eden
(entry 059)
Symbiosis
by Jennifer Leayr
Caption: A shell found at Tura Head covered in barnacles (crustacean) and with a sea anemone (invertebrate) perched on top. I assume at some point there was a hermit crab living in the shell who was using the anemone to ward off attackers. A beautiful example of symbiosis.
Location: Tura Headland
(entry 064)
Black Beauty Of The Sky
by Jennifer Leayr
Caption: I had been trying all year to get a nice photo of a Yellow-Tailed Black Cockatoo and finally found some eating in the trees at Haycock Point. They are one of my favourite birds and I just love the sound of their beautiful calls as they fly across the sky.
Location: Haycock Point
(entry 065)
Spectacular White-bellied Sea Eagle
by Jennifer Leayr
Caption: I drove up to Short Point looking for whales but as I got out of the car I saw this amazing eagle flying over the pathway leading up to the point. I ripped my camera from my bag and ran up the path as these birds so often disappear in a flash. I got in front of it and was able to watch it soar towards me and then soar in front of the sun and finally disappear behind the cliffs. I didn't see any whales that day but felt lucky to see this White-bellied Sea Eagle instead!
Location: Short Point, Merimbula
(entry 067)
Rain Drops Keep Falling
by Jennifer Leayr
Caption: Just out in the garden enjoying the rain when I came across this ladybird who had the same idea.
Location: Bega
(entry 068)
Violet Shell with travelling companions
by Liz Allen
Caption: Violet Bubble-snail (Jantina janthina) is often washed ashore in blue tide with Goose Barnacles (Lepas sp.) firmly attached.
Location: Tura beach shoreline
(entry 083)
Macro Moth
by Jennifer Leayr
Caption: Found this moth chilling out in my lettuce plant on a rainy day. The head reminds me of a furry cow!
Location: Bega
(entry 069)
Yellow Tailed Black Cockatoo ... morning snack on Banksia serrata
by Liz Allen
Caption: Yellow-tailed black Cockatoo [Calyptorhychus funereus] with their very strong beaks like to feed on the cones of Banksia serrata. Was not concerned by my proximity!
Location: near Tura Headland
(entry 085)
Playground of the Masked Owl
by Elizabeth Walton
Caption: Rob and I surveyed the inner streams of Corunna, trying to reveal her beauty in the best light. We were making a submission to have the Spotted Gums that fringe the creeks preserved for all time through a special walk that meandered along the banks. Little did we know at the time that this very pond was the pre-dawn playground of Corunna's infamous Masked Owl.
Location: Corunna Forest
(entry 098)
Fluffy
by Georgia Poyner
Caption: Huntsman spider portrait
Location: Dalmeny Headland
(entry 107)
Frog
by Georgia Poyner
Caption: Came across this beautiful little frog whilst spotlighting around the creeks at Pebbly beach.
Location: Pebbly Beach
(entry 109)
Red Pelicans
by Julie Fourter
Caption: I was photographing the red algae at the main wharf in Eden and some pelicans were hunting around the launching ramp. They are always foraging for fish frames and bits from cleaned fish, and didn't seem too perturbed about the red tide! Mind you, they didn't hang around long when they saw I had no fish!
Pelicans roam the Red Tide in Eden. It is an algae that grows certain times of the year when warm meets cold water. Probably also has a bit to do with nutrients in the water also.
Location: Twofold Bay, Eden
(entry 115)
Flame Robin
by Tess Poyner
Caption: These small Flame Robins were flying in and out of long pieces of grass and other plants. I managed to capture this beautiful male Robin while he was still for a brief second!
Location: Bendethera National Park
(entry 121)
Giant Gumleaf Katydid
by Tess Poyner
Caption: This is a Giant Gumleaf Katydid that I photographed while doing macro photography! I love how much character he had as he positioned his legs in different places, the best things definitely come in small packages!
Location: Dalmeny Bush
(entry 122)
Bare-nosed Wombat
by Tess Poyner
Caption: I had an awesome camping trip at Bendethera National Park. I was lucky enough to have some very close experiences with the beautiful wombats!
Location: Bendethera National Park
(entry 126)
Magpie Mist After The Fires
by Suzanne Hopkins
Caption: Rose early to the morning sun struggling to break through the fog/mist two weeks after the devastating fires and ventured next door to the ruins of my neighbour’s house to discover a family of local magpies had returned to the area.
Location: Tathra
(entry 128)
WOnderful prizes, generous donors
Overall first prize is two nights in a luxurious Tanja Lagoon Camp safari tent. There is also a $150 voucher for Wheeler’s Seafood Restaurant, kindly donated by Jacqui Smith, and a $100 gift voucher kindly donated by Bayd & Belinda Rosenbaum of EyeQ Merimbula for third place.
OUr judges - a huge thank-you!
All of our judges are keen photographers themselves, with many years of practical experience. They are experienced in nature photography and know what to look for in identifying outstanding images. And, as members of our broader Atlas of Life community, they kindly offered their support to this year's competition.
1: David Gallan
2: Paul Whitington
3: Christa Drysdale & Dawn Woods (special guests from the Atlas of Life: Budawang Coast region)
4: Belinda Rosenbaum (special judge for age-specific categories)
Click here to view the full conditions of entry in this year’s Photo Competition, including category descriptions and judging criteria.
The Atlas of Life thanks the following organisations for their ongoing support of this event:
Note: Please do not reuse any of these images without permission and acknowledgement.