MONARCH CATERPILLAR
Danaus plexippus 

Adult monarchs are striking with their distinctive orange and black markings, but their larvae are equally fascinating with their conspicuous yellow, black and white bands. This shot was captured after a shower of rain, leaving the plants and their fellow residents covered in jewel-like droplets of water.

Tai Tapu, New Zealand

Sony ILCE 6000, f2.8 90mm macro, 1/250, f/8, ISO 400, Sony HVL-F45RM flash, handheld

DAMSELFLY
Zygoptera

I ventured out to a local reserve early in the morning and came across a pair of damselflies mating. Male and female damselflies join together in a wheel position when mating and commonly fly in tandem this way; the shape they form is commonly interpreted as a heart.

Tai Tapu, New Zealand

Sony ILCE 6000, f2.8 90mm macro, 1/640, f/8, ISO 100, handheld

Whale watching took a dramatic turn when the horizon suddenly went dark and this incredible waterspout developed. The yacht, sailing south, quickly lowered the sails and made a hasty retreat north. In less than five minutes, the waterspout had completely disappeared, with the yacht then resuming its original course.

Murramarang National Park,
New South Wales

Sony A57, Sigma 18–250mm f3.5–6.3, 1/1250, f/6.3, ISO 200, handheld

HOUSEFLY
Musca domestica

On warm days, flies utilise an unusual but fascinating method to reduce their body temperature. They move a droplet of fluid in and out of their buccal cavity before swallowing it, allowing them to lower their body temperature by evaporative cooling.

Tai Tapu, New Zealand

Sony ILCE 6000, f2.8 90mm macro, 1/100, f/4, ISO 100, Sony HVL F45RM flash, handheld, focus stacked

DAMSELFLY
Zygoptera

Damselflies and dragonflies are known jet fighters of the insect world. Their murderous disposition eludes us as humans and is instead masked with a solemn grace of flitting beauty. The catch of his tilted wings helps keep you on your toes, ready for his attack at a moment’s notice.

Wirreanda Park, Buderim, Queensland

Nikon D800, Nikon 105mm f/2.8, 1000, f/5.6, ISO 1000, handheld

INCH ANT
Myrmecia pyriformis 

I noticed this inch ant that was walking across a gravel footpath. As I went
to take a photo it stopped walking along and started watching me. It kept watching me as I took photos of it, before it eventually lost interest and started walking off.

Adelaide Hills, South Australia

Nikon D7200, Nikkor AF-S DX micro 40mm f/2.8G, 1/100, f/9, ISO 640, handheld

SILVER GULL
Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae

This melancholy disabled, yet undaunted, common gull represents survival against adversity. A common, underappreciated, normally social bird stands alone but unafraid, on an overcast day during Sydney’s lockdown. Even after generations of human impact on this sociable waterside picnic/fish and chip companion, he’s surviving by catching fish again.

Greenwich Wharf, New South Wales

Sony A7RIV, Sony FE 600mm f4 GM OSS Sony 1.4x tele-converter, 1/800, f/5.6, ISO 800, 840mm zoom, Manfrotto monopod

Rosetta Head is a headland located on the Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia. It was a beautiful clear night near the end of Milky Way season. I went out with my dad to grab one last shot. The beach below looks calm but is quite treacherous.

Rosetta Head, Encounter Bay, South Australia

Nikon D810A, Sigma Art 20mm, 15 (sky) six (foreground, taken during blue hour), f/2.8 sky) f/8 (foreground), ISO 2000 (sky) ISO 800 (foreground), tripo

FORESTER KANGAROO
Macropus giganteus tasmaniensis 

My image ‘Abstraction of an Icon’ is an expressive depiction of a kangaroo spotted whilst climbing along the rocks at Friendly Beaches, Tasmania. I used a slow shutter speed to obscure the form and to capture the power, grace and speed of this national symbol.

Friendly Beaches, Tasmania

Fujifilm XT3, XF 18–55mm, 1/8, f/7.1, ISO 160, tripod