FAIRY DUST

Viewed in this photograph from the middle of the high reaches of the Snowy River, this spot is normally waist deep water. During the coldest parts of winter the river all but disappears under the blowing snow and ice of the main range. With no trees to block the wind, the snow banks grow higher and higher, moving snow and building ice until only the faintest hints of the river remain.

Kosciuszko National Park, New South Wales

Nikon D850, Nikon 70–200 f2.8, 1/3200, f/10, ISO 320, handheld

SURVIVING THE FALLS

Exploring unnamed creeks in Tasmania can turn up hidden treasures such as this waterfall in the Preolenna area. The chaos at the bottom of the fall and the plant clinging for survival behind the water curtain are what caught my attention.

Preolenna, Tasmania

Nikon D810, Nikon 24–70mm f2.8, 8, f/9, ISO 100, NISI polariser and 6 stop ND, tripod

TWO WORLDS COLLIDE

After numerous failed attempts, visiting the same location nearly
every afternoon, I was finally rewarded with atmospheric skies and
crystal-clear water, resulting in this dynamic scene combining the
terrestrial and marine worlds. The formations in the sand below
the water are the result of the continual rise and fall of the ocean.

Hyams Beach, New South Wales

Canon EOS 5D Mk IV, Canon EF 15mm f2.8 fisheye, 1/8, f/18, ISO 125, two INON Z-240 strobes, AquaTech Elite 5D4 water housing, handheld

BARRON FALLS

When Barron Falls (Din Din) is in flood, the usually tranquil scene is
transformed into a tumultuous cataract as huge volumes of water make their way to the coastal plain below. The sheer violence of this display, coupled with the deafening roar, makes it an unforgettable experience.

Barron Falls, Kuranda, Queensland

Pentax X-5, 28.3mm, 1/320, f/5, ISO 100, handheld

THROUGH THE CURTAIN

A small waterfall curtains the rainforest of the Great Western Tiers World Heritage Area.

Great Western Tiers World Heritage Area, Tasmania

Nikon D800, Nikon 16–35mm f4, 6, f/16, ISO 100, polarising filter, tripod

SURGE

As the natural force of the ocean comes crashing down onto the shallow seabed, a surging force develops powerful vortexes stretching over the top of the wave, pushing sand upward to the surface. A moment I have envisioned ever since shooting aerials – finding beauty in the chaos.

North Avoca Beach, New South Wales

DJI Phantom 4, 3.6mm, 1/640, f/2.8, ISO 100

THE SECRET FALLS

Named by the local walking community, the Secret Falls entice photographers and there are many similar (in composition) photos of this place on the internet. Those are not what I want. I would rather not take photos than imitate the same action. But I was very lucky to find this spider web in my two days of continuous
exploration.

Wellington Park, Tasmania

Nikon D810, 14–24mm f2.8, 2, 4 & 30, f/8, f/18 & f/5.6, Lee Little Stopper ND6 tripod

RAGING TIDE

The Three Sisters sea stacks are located in Tongaporutu, New Zealand. The tide rose to nearly 2.5m when I took the photograph. The huge rock with the triangle shape seen in this shot collapsed last year due to erosion.

Tongaporutu, New Zealand

Sony a7R II, Canon EF16–35mm f2.8 II USM, 0.8, f /11, ISO 320, three stop GND filter, tripod

CHAMPAGNE POOL

Champagne Pool is one of the most colourful geothermal attractions in
New Zealand. The cloudy weather makes the naturally coloured pool really pop out.

Wai-O-Tapu, New Zealand

Sony a7R II, Canon EF16–35mm f2.8 II USM, 1/15, f/13, ISO 100, tripod

ABOVE

A latticework of red salt and lime green mangrove reveals itself at low tide on Faure Island in Shark Bay. Nestled in azure waters between the Peron Peninsula and mainland Western Australia, Faure Island is critically important for the conservation of Australia’s threatened mammals because it is entirely free of feral predators.

Faure Island, Shark Bay World Heritage Area, Western Australia

Sony A7RIII, Sony 85mm f1.8, 1/1000, f/5.6, ISO 400, handheld, captured at 1500 feet from a Cessna 207, doors off

ARCHIAC

Exploration plays a big role in my photography and it was clear from the maps that this valley leading to Mt D’Archiac would make for a fun and productive trip in the Southern Alps. I
spent a night here with a friend and we were treated to a spectacular sky and humorous company of some local kea.

Southern Alps, New Zealand

Sony a7R ii, Sony 16–35mm f2.8, 1/13, f/11, ISO 200, handheld

The AG Nature Photographer of the Year Awards are sponsored by Coral Expeditions.