LEOPARD SEAL

LEOPARD SEAL
Hydrurga leptonyx

The leopard seal is one of the biggest predators on the planet,
living in the most hostile place on the planet. During an expedition on a small sailboat, we explored the Antarctic Peninsula and had the opportunity to document its behaviour, which turned out to
be more curious than dangerous.

Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica

Nikon D500, Tokina 10–17mm, 1/200, f/9, ISO 320, 2x Ikelite DS161

GOLDEN MEDUSA

PAPUAN JELLYFISH
Mastigias papua

The Papuan jellyfish, nicknamed the golden Medusa, photographed in a jellyfish lake. The image was taken under the cover of darkness whilst hanging over the side of a small boat.
I would usually be swimming but due to a saltwater crocodile sighting in the previous days, we were not allowed in the lake.

Raja Ampat, West Papua Regency, Indonesia

Nikon D810, Sigma 15mm f/2.8 EX DG diagonal fisheye, 1/2, f/8, ISO 100, single strobe flash

THE GUARDIAN

HUMPBACK WHALE,
Megaptera novaeangliae

A humpback mother and new calf. For the first 12 months of its life, this calf will be totally dependent on its mother’s nurturing skills. Her blubber reserves must sustain the calf with fat, rich milk during the
winter fast until she returns to the feeding grounds in Antarctic waters.

Vava’u, Kingdom of Tonga

Canon EOS 5DsR, Canon EF 8–15mm f4L fisheye USM @14mm, 1/180, f/8, ISO 1000,
Nauticam underwater housing with Zen 100mm minidome, natural light

WYULDA

SCALYTAILED POSSUM
Wyulda squamicaudata

Emerging upon nightfall from their rocky lairs, the shy and solitary scalytailed possums (known as yilangal by the Wunambal Gaambera people of
remote north-western Australia) hang from their specialised prehensile tail to reach food and forage throughout the structurally complex monsoon forest and vine-thicket habitat.

Mitchell Plateau, Western Australia

Canon EOS 7D MkII, Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 macro USM,
1/125, f/14.0, ISO 125, manual flash output, YN560 IV speedlite
with speedbox-40 so” box, handheld

WE ARE HERE!

SILVER GULL
Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae

The water was perfect. The birds were busy calling. The silver gulls were busy doing what they do – calling and chasing each other, then, posing for a brief moment before carrying on.

Peel Inlet, Mandurah, Western Australia

Canon 1Dx, Canon 500mm f/4L + Canon 1.4x teleconvertor, 1/5000, f/5.6, ISO 400, handheld, 2/3 EV

KANGAROO SILHOUETTE

WESTERN GREY KANGAROO
Macropus fuliginosus

I wanted to support Yanchep National Park by camping there with friends after the area suffered a bushfire the month before. We went for a walk around the park at sunset and came across a group of kangaroos. I love the backlighting in this image.

Yanchep National Park, Western Australia

Canon EOS 1DX MkII, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM, 1/2000, f/4, ISO 400, handheld, slight adjustments – contrast, exposure, highlight

LEOPARD ANEMONE

LEOPARD ANEMONE Antiparactis sp.

A leopard anemone floats into the deep blue, one of 15–20 species that had detached from the reef and were drifting – a migration presumably part of their life cycle. These anemones generally inhabit black coral and gorgonian fans on deep reefs out of recreational diving range.

Oculina Point, Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve,
New Zealand

Canon EOS 5D MkII, Canon 14mm f/2.8L II, 1/15, f/4.5, ISO
100, twin Ikelite DS 125 flashes, Aquatica 5D MkII housing

MOTIONLESS

GREEN TREE P YTHON
Morelia viridis

The green tree python remains motionless on the rainforest floor of Cape York Peninsula, where it waits for its prey to move close
enough so it can strike. Its fluorescent green colour makes it easy for the human eye to spot among the dried leaves, but it’s not so easy for its prey.

Cape York, Queensland

Canon 5D MkIV, Canon 16–35
f4L IS, 1/200, f/13, ISO 250, Canon 600EX flash

GLOW FROM WITHIN

LEAF SCORPIONFISH
Taenianotus triacanthus

I found this leaf scorpionfish on a rocky outcrop and discovered it didn’t mind my company. This gave me the perfect opportunity to carefully position a remote-controlled, high-powered torch fitted to a homemade arm behind the fish and create an X-ray-like image.

Tweed River, New South Wales

Nikon D810, Nikon 60mm AF-S micro, 1/250, f/11, ISO 125,
Sea & Sea MDX810 housing, subject backlit using a Weefine
6000 light fitted with a condenser and operated with a Weefine WFA03 remote control on a homemade arm system

KORORĀ  – LITTLE BLUE PENGUIN

LITTLE PENGUIN
Eudyptula minor

You may know them as little blue penguins, little penguins, blue penguins, or fairy penguins.
Kororā is the name first bestowed on the birds by Maori. This is a white-flippered korora – identifiable by the margins on its wings, unique to birds that nest at Banks Peninsula. Kororareka, a village in the Bay of Islands, means ‘delicious little blue penguin’.

Rehabilitation Centre of the National Aquarium of New Zealand, New Zealand.

Canon EOS 1DX, Canon 16–35mm 2.8L II @ 16mm, 1/200, f/11, ISO 100, twin
Canon 600EX II RT speedlite flashes and umbrellas

SATIN SPOTLIGHT

SATIN BOWERBIRD
Ptilonorhynchus violaceus

I spent the afternoon at a friend’s birdbath waiting for the male satin bowerbird to show up. By the time he did, the light was a bit patchy and so, rather than
filling the shadows with flash, I decided to expose for the sun and let the shadows drift into darkness. This created a spotlight effect, enhancing his crazy eye.

Mulgoa, New South Wales

Canon EOS 5D MkIV, 500mm f4L IS II, 1/800, f/8, ISO 1250, tripod

THE SMALLEST POSSUM

WESTERN PYGMY POSSUM
Cercartetus concinnus

This adorable western pygmy possum was feeding amongst the shrublands surrounding Lake Cronin. Although small, their eye-shine is very noticeable
and they are relatively easy to find. They often sit still if they feel threatened and jump away at the very last second.

Lake Cronin, Western Australia

Canon 5D MkIII, EF 100mm f/2.8L macro IS USM, 1/80, f/10,
ISO 100, handheld di…used Canon 580 EX flash