NEXT GALLERY: Threatened species shortlist

Next up, see our shortlisted images from the 2016 AG Nature Photographer of the Year Threatened Species Category here.

Tiny Temper

Coastal carpet python, Morelia spilota mcdowelli  

Being an owner of snakes and other reptiles I know how scared people can be of them. I thought if I captured an image at the moment of mid-strike, it would connect with readers through the feeling of fear. Little would they know it is barely longer than a ruler.

Chandler, Queensland

Pentax K-3, 18-55 mm, 1/180, f/8, ISO 200, handheld, exposure brush used to blend object in background

Lesueur’s Tree Frog

Lesueur’s tree frog, Litoria lesueuri

A Lesueur’s tree frog perched on a palm frond. Two torches were used as they provided a softer and more dynamic light compared to using a flash.

Murwillumbah, New South Wales

Nikon D7100, Nikkor 300 mm f4 D, 1/250, f/4, ISO 800, handheld, two torches were used for dynamic lighting

Jewel of the Jungle

Green tree python, Morelia viridis

The Australian green tree python is my favourite species of snake in Australia. Those in Australia hatch only yellow, whereas green tree pythons in New Guinea can hatch both red/maroon and yellow. However, in my opinion the bright yellow of our Australian green tree pythons are the most eye-catching.

Iron Range, Queensland

Pentax K-3, 70-300 mm APO DG macro, 1/250, f/8, ISO 250, handheld

Toothy Grin

Saltwater crocodile, Crocodylus porosus

This image conveys a large male saltwater crocodile resting on a river bank in northern Queensland. The saltwater crocodile is a modern day dinosaur that is an integral part of the precious ecosystem. I had the privilege to photograph the awe-inspiring predator in its natural habitat. An amazing experience!

Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve, northern Queensland

Canon EOS 7D Mk II, Canon EF-S 18-135 f/3.5-5.6 IS at 135 mm, 1/200, f/5.6, ISO 2000, handheld

The Dragon’s Head

Water dragon, Intellagama lesueurii

I joined my dad and spent nearly two hours at Parramatta Park – my dad taking photos and I watching. While packing to leave, an approximately one metre long Australian water dragon climbed out of the river. I took my dad’s camera, put it on his backpack on the ground and snapped a few shots.

Parramatta, New South Wales

Canon EOS 7D Mk II, Canon EF 300 mm f2.8 L IS plus x1.4 teleconverter, 1/500, f/4, ISO 1600, support: camera lying on a camera backpack

Rockpool

Tiny bugs swirl above an ocean rock pool in the morning sun. It seems no matter where you look on the south coast, everything is beautiful.

Minnamurra, New South Wales

Nikon D3200, 18-105 mm f/3.5-5.6, 1/400, f/5.6, ISO 100, handheld

Flight

Seagull, Laridae

A chaos of seagulls caught my attention as they took off to avoid an incoming wave. The slow shutter gives the image a unique touch to express how much motion there was.

Minnamurra, New South Wales

Nikon D3200, 55-200mm f/4.0-5.6, 1/15, f/32, ISO 100, handheld