Fairy terns are struggling to find suitable habitat for breeding in Western Australia, which impacts on the number of birds breeding each year. It was pleasing to see this male offering a fish to the female in exchange for the opportunity to mate and hopefully produce the next generation.
Rous Head, Western Australia
Nikon D7200, Nikkor 80-400 4.5-5.6, 1/6400, f/7.1, ISO 500, Hoya UV filter, camera and lens resting on mat at ground level
Photo Credit: Gary Meredith, Western Australia
Incoming Orange
Orange-bellied parrot, Neophema chrysogaster
Status: Critically endangered
A birding trip to Melaleuca, the summer breeding ground of one of the world’s rarest and most endangered species – the orange-bellied parrot – is an emotional rollercoaster. May these endearing Australian icons forever animate the windswept wild lands of Tasmanian’s south-west with their buzzing calls and blazing colours.
Melaleuca, Tasmania
Canon EOS 7D Mk II, Canon 500 mm f4 II, 1/4000, f/8, ISO 1600, tripod, pattern metering, manual exposure, autofocus, burst mode
Photo Credit: Matthew Jones, New South Wales
Coming In For a Drink
Grey-headed flying fox, Pteropus poliocephalus
Status: Vulnerable
These grey-headed flying foxes can be seen skimming the water in order to lick the water from their chests, mainly when it hasn’t rained for some time or in extreme temperatures. They are fascinating creatures. This photo was taken at the bat camp on the Parramatta River in Parramatta.
Parramatta River, Paramatta, New South Wales
Nikon D500, 200-500 mm, focal length 500 mm, 1/1250, f/7.1, ISO 720
Photo Credit: Elizabeth Howell, New South Wales
Thunderclap
Conondale spiny crayfish, Euastacus hystricosus
Status: Endangered
The conondale spiny crayfish (Euastacus hystricosus) is an endangered species of freshwater crayfish found only in pristine mountain streams west of Brisbane. They exhibit a frightening defensive behavior – raising their claws to appear even larger and then slamming them together with enough force to likely crack my lens. Thunderclap!
Conondale Range, Queensland
Nikon D800E, Nikon 16 mm f/2.8 AF fisheye, 1/200, f/11, ISO 160, Nikon SB-900 flash, handheld
Photo Credit: Scott Trageser, United States of America
Red Eye
Lord Howe woodhen, Hypotaenidia sylvestris
Status: Endangered
From the brink of extinction, this species is recovering thanks to years of hard work by passionate people. Their intense red eye is a striking beacon amidst their drab brown plumage.
Lord Howe Island, New South Wales
Canon EOS 5D Mk IV, EF 100-400 mm f4.5-5.6L IS II at 312mm, 1/1000, f5.6, ISO 800
Photo Credit: David Stowe, New South Wales
Manta pit stop
Reef manta ray, Manta alfredi
Status: Vulnerable
The mantas cruise back and forth in the current line feeding. On this occasion the current was not too strong, the underwater visibility was good and this manta stopped right in front of my camera port for a clean.
Manta Station, Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea
Nikon D610, Tokina AT-X107 DX fisheye 10-17 mm f3.5-4.5, 1/200, f/10, ISO 200, two external strobes INON D2000 set to manual fired via fibre optic, Nexus camera housing with dome port, handheld
Photo Credit: Phil Woodhead, Queensland
Wandering Albatross
Wandering albatross, Diomedea exulans
Status: Vulnerable
The wandering albatross’ huge wingspan is perfectly designed for catching the updraft from the ocean. Steadying myself as the boat rocked from side to side to photograph the magnificent bird in flight proved rather more difficult. Classified as vulnerable, longline fishing is believed to be a main cause of its decline.
Kaikoura, New Zealand
Canon EOS-1D Mk III, Canon EF70-300 mm f/4-5.6L IS USM, 1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 500, handheld
Photo Credit: Trevor Penfold, New Zealand
Cute as Buttons
Numbat, Myrmecobius fasciatus
Status: Endangered
A young numbat (Myrmecobius fasciatus) takes a morning stroll through the button flowers. There are less than 1000 numbats left in Australia and serious efforts need to be made to ensure their survival. Predation by feral cats is the number one threat to numbats in the wild today.
Dryandra woodland, Western Australia
Canon EOS 5D Mk IV, Canon EF 100-400 mm f4.5-5.6L IS, focal length 400 mm, 1/400, f/8, ISO 500, handheld, -0.3 step exposure bias
Photo Credit: Rob McLean, Western Australia
Feeding Time
Short-billed black-cockatoo, Zanda latirostris
Status: Endangered
A Carnaby’s black cockatoo gives food and comfort to a hungry youngster. These charismatic birds, native to the south-west of Western Australia, are declining in numbers due to the loss of habitat and are more frequently coming into urban areas in search of food.
Coodanup, Western Australia
Canon EOS 7D Mk II, 400 mm, 1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 6400, handheld
Photo Credit: Cherilyn Corker, Western Australia
HomeTopicsWildlifeAG Nature Photographer of the Year 2017: Threatened species shortlist
AG Nature Photographer of the Year 2017: Threatened species shortlist
By AG STAFF•9 June 2017
Orange-bellied parrot, Neophema chrysogaster. Threatened species shortlist
In this category, we asked for photos of flora or fauna that have been deemed threatened, rare, vulnerable or endangered. This shortlist is a reminder of how many beautiful animals face extinction if we do not act.
These photos will be exhibited at the South Australian Museum in Adelaide (11 August to 24 September) and the Australian Museum in Sydney (11 August to 10 December)