THE ANGEL IS IN THE DETAIL

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.

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

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

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

FLYING FOR FUN

CARNABY’S BLACKCOCKATOO, Calyptorhynchus latirostris

STATUS: ENDANGERED

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

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

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

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

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.

Kei Archipelago, Indonesia

Nikon D800, Nikon 16mm fisheye, 1/200, f/9, ISO 160, external Ikelite strobes, manual
setting

FAKE IT TILL YOU MAKE IT

FAIRY TERN
Sternula nereis

STATUS: VULNERABLE

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

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

This category is proudly sponsored by Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife