Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year – Animal Habitat Winner 2019
Wow, what an honour!! I was recently announced as the Winner of the Animal Habitat category in the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year competition 2019! I also have two images included as exhibiting finalists too, so these will also be in the exhibition as it tours Australia, and they will be in the book etc. All very exciting! I would like to thank the judges Australian Geographic, The South Australian Museum and Coral Expeditions for the award.
Guardian article ‘Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year 2019 – in Pictures‘
Sydney Morning Herald article ‘Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year 2019‘
SMALL BUT MIGHTY
WINNER, ANIMAL HABITAT
Commensal amphipod living in solitary ascidian
I was searching for miniature pygmy seahorses on the reefs of West Papua when I happened across this tiny amphipod crustacean. Just 0.5–1cm long, this male is sitting at the mouth of the sea squirt to guard the females and young within. According to an amphipod expert, this is likely a new species.
Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia
Nikon D800, Nikkor 105mm macro, 1/125, f/14, ISO 100, twin INON Z240 strobes, handheld, Subal underwater housing
by Richard Smith, United Kingdom
IN THE CAN
EXHIBITING FINALIST – OUR IMPACT
Golden pygmy goby, Lubricogobius exiguus
Golden pygmy gobies require a hard surface on which to lay their eggs. In the sandy areas they inhabit, this would ordinarily be a rock, disused shell or even a leaf. Sadly, trawling of these habitats leads to a barren, featureless landscape resulting in no other option than to live among the trash of nearby human habitation.
Lembeh Strait, Sulawesi, Indonesia
Nikon D800, Nikkor 105mm macro, 1/125, f/11, ISO 100, twin INON Z240 strobes, handheld, Subal underwater housing
by Richard Smith, United Kingdom
RING OF FIRE
EXHIBITING FINALIST – ANIMAL PORTRAIT
Pinnate batfish, Platax pinnatus
Adult pinnate batfish are large, beige fish that school in the open ocean. However, the young live on coral reefs where there are many more predators. The juvenile batfish mimic a toxic flatworm, which predators avoid. The small fish is almost identical in colour to the flatworm and swims in the same exaggerated manner, enhancing the masquerade.
Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia
Nikon D800, Nikkor 105mm macro, 1/125, f/11, ISO 100, twin INON Z240 strobes, handheld, Subal underwater housing
by Richard Smith, United Kingdom