Geographical

Official magazine of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)

Antipodean delights from the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year competition

3 minutes

Macro, runner up: Blue by Mary Gudgeon. Starfish shrimp are always found in association with a starfish, in this case a species of Echinaster
Macro, runner up: Blue by Mary Gudgeon. Starfish shrimp are always found in association with a starfish, in this case a species of Echinaster

A selection of images from the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year competition 2023

Produced by the South Australian Museum, the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year competition is now in its 20th year. This year, the competition attracted 2,182 entries from 550 photographers across ten countries in its search for the best wildlife and landscape photographs taken across Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica and the New Guinea region

Astrophotography, winner: Mungo by Jason Perry. The Milky Way shines over an ancient lake bed in Mungo National Park, New South Wales
Astrophotography, winner: Mungo by Jason Perry. The Milky Way shines over an ancient lake bed in Mungo National Park, New South Wales
Overall winner: My Country Burns by Samuel Markham. ‘While protecting my home on New Year’s Eve 2019, daylight turned to darkness with 40-metre-plus flames. This image was taken 20 minutes after the fire front had passed’
Overall winner: My Country Burns by Samuel Markham. ‘While protecting my home on New Year’s Eve 2019, daylight turned to darkness with 40-metre-plus flames. This image was taken 20 minutes after the fire front had passed’
Macro, winner: Nectar of Life by Dan Jones. Against the backdrop of the Kennedy Range in Western Australia, a Dawson’s burrowing bee sips nectar from the flower of a native bluebell. Water is scarce in this arid region and for these bees, nectar may be the only source of this precious resource
Macro, winner: Nectar of Life by Dan Jones. Against the backdrop of the Kennedy Range in Western Australia, a Dawson’s burrowing bee sips nectar from the flower of a native bluebell. Water is scarce in this arid region and for these bees, nectar may be the only source of this precious resource
Animals in Nature, winner: Aftermath by Matty Smith. Moments before this shot was taken, three male giant cuttlefish were trying to court a female in the waters off Whyalla in South Australia. A fight ensued between two of the males and they inked the water as they grappled and rolled out of frame. The female bolted and this male was left in the aftermath, still displaying his vivid courting colours
Animals in Nature, winner: Aftermath by Matty Smith. Moments before this shot was taken, three male giant cuttlefish were trying to court a female in the waters off Whyalla in South Australia. A fight ensued between two of the males and they inked the water as they grappled and rolled out of frame. The female bolted and this male was left in the aftermath, still displaying his vivid courting colours
Junior, runner up: Turtley Mesmerised by McKinley Moens. ‘I was totally mesmerised when I locked eyes with this curious freshwater turtle as it emerged from the murky water’
Junior, runner up: Turtley Mesmerised by McKinley Moens. ‘I was totally mesmerised when I locked eyes with this curious freshwater turtle as it emerged from the murky water’
Portfolio, winner: Saltwater crocodile by Lewis Barnett
Portfolio, winner: Saltwater crocodile by Lewis Barnett  
Portfolio, winner: Great hammerhead shark by Lewis Barnett
Portfolio, winner: Great hammerhead shark by Lewis Barnett  
Portfolio, winner: Pygmy blue whale by Lewis Barnett
Portfolio, winner: Pygmy blue whale  by Lewis Barnett  
Our Impact, runner up: Spotted harrier or smoke hawk caught up in a fence by Karoliina Kase. This bird perished after becoming entangled in fencing on a dairy farm near Lake Alexandrina in South Australia, a symbol of the devastating impact that farming has on wildlife
Our Impact, runner up: Spotted harrier or smoke hawk caught up in a fence by Karoliina Kase. This bird perished after becoming entangled in fencing on a dairy farm near Lake Alexandrina in South Australia, a symbol of the devastating impact that farming has on wildlife
nimals in Nature, runner up: Somewhere Under the Rainbow by David Robinson. Lord Howe Island in New South Wales is one of the few places in Australia where you can encounter the Galápagos shark. The charismatic sharks appear from the depths hoping to get lucky and score scraps from a passing boat
Animals in Nature, runner up: Somewhere Under the Rainbow by David Robinson. Lord Howe Island in New South Wales is one of the few places in Australia where you can encounter the Galápagos shark. The charismatic sharks appear from the depths hoping to get lucky and score scraps from a passing boat