GREEN MALACHITE

I am always amazed by the beauty of the natural mineral
malachite, with its swirling patterns of striking light and dark green marbling. With its concentric, eye-like rings of green that mimic a peacock feather, this stone has captured the imagination of many cultures. It’s been described by poets as spring grass under the sun, swaying in the wind.

Adelaide, South Australia

Sony a6000, Sony E-Mount 16–50mm f/3.5–5.6 zoom lens, 1/80, f/5.6, ISO 250, handheld

SONG THRUSH

SONG THRUSH
Turdus philomelos

In the Catlins, on New Zealand’s South Island, I noticed a song
thrush that would come and sing on the same branch every day.
Late one afternoon, the sunset created a fantastic silhouette of
the bird in full song.

The Catlins, South Island, New Zealand

Nikon D3400, 18–300mm, 1/3200, f/7.1, ISO 400, handheld

GRACEFUL AND GREEN

DAINTY GREEN TREE FROG,
Litoria gracilenta

I photographed this dainty tree frog whilst spotlighting in far north Queensland. I was lucky this petite frog caught my eye, as they’re hard to spot due to their size.

Daintree Rainforest, Queensland

Canon Powershot SX50 HS, 4.3–215mm, 1/200, f/7.1, ISO 200, handheld, flash

BRIGALOW BEAUTY

WOMA PYTHON
Aspidites ramsayi

This woma python found in the southern Brigalow Belt in Queensland is part of a geographic population often referred to as the Brigalow woma. This picture was taken on the Australia Zoo conservation property, where the habitat is protected and past research was aided by radio tracking of individual snakes.

St George, Queensland

Canon EOS 7Dii, Tamron 90mm macro, 1, f/6.3, ISO 640

CAMOUFLAGED SCAVENGER

LACE MONITOR
Varanus varius

I came across this lace monitor feeding on a kangaroo carcass on the New South Wales south coast. As I approached, it darted up a tree and watched as I photographed from a distance.

Potato Point, New South Wales

Nikon D610, NIKKOR AF-S f/1.8G, 1/2000, f/1.8, ISO 100,
handheld

SCRUB PYTHON

AUSTRALIAN SCRUB PYTHON, Simalia kinghorni

While on a research expedition to the remote bush of Cape York, I spotted this scrub python coming down out of the canopy, probably looking for the best spot to sun.
I climbed up onto its level and captured this photo just as it flicked out its tongue toward the camera.

Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve, Cape York Peninsula, Queensland

Canon EOS 1DX MkII, Canon EF 8–15mm f/4L fisheye, 1/250, f/8.0, ISO 200, Canon Speedlight 600EX II RT flash + transmitter film, handheld

GORGEOUS GECKO

SOUTHERN LEAFTAILED GECKO
Phyllurus platurus

This southern leaf-tailed gecko is a survivor. It was growing a new
tail and it was covered in mites and spider webs – but what I was
really drawn to were those incredible eyes. Taking care not to disturb it, I positioned myself low to the ground to take this image.

Blue Mountains, New South Wales

Sony A57, Sigma 18–250mm f3.5–6.3, 0.4, f/11, ISO 400, no flash, handheld

ORANGE FAN

ORANGE FAN
Anthracophyllum archeri

I photographed this beautiful orange fan fungus while walking a local rainforest track. This particular species grows on dead wood and branches, in dark, moist environments.

Box Cutting Rainforest Track, New South Wales

Canon E0S 7D S/N: 2671200100, EF-560mm f/2.8 macro USM, 1/250, f/18, ISO 100, handheld, flash

GREEN SEA TURTLE

GREEN SEA TURTLE
Chelonia mydas

This endangered green sea turtle appeared to be searching for food along a coral bed when I spotted her while on a morning snorkel. Diving down to her level, I wanted to capture a closer perspective. I was delighted to see how the bright rays of sunshine filtered through the water in this shot.

Lady Elliot Island, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland

Canon EOS 5DsR, Canon EF 16–35mm f/4L IS USM, 1/500, f/4.0, ISO 250, Aquatech Elite underwater housing, handheld