Majestic songbirds, ethereal pollen cascades, and a taste of Jambalaya on the Bayou—announcing the champions of the sixth annual BirdLife Australia Bird Photography Awards
To immortalize this captivating sequence, I dedicated two full days every week over a span of two months to the same location in the Richmond area of NSW, meticulously observing and unraveling the intricate behaviors of the spotted harriers. Through this immersive process, I became intimately acquainted with their daily routine, yielding an extensive collection of close-up flight shots. However, on a particular day, serendipity took the reins. The spotted harrier made a surprising entrance, arriving from an unexpected direction at an unforeseen time, and to my delight, it brought along an unexpected companion—a brown falcon. In the serene embrace of a magically still and misty morning at the Alcoa Wetlands in Wellard, Western Australia, a captivating scene unfolded. A congregation of pelicans and a pair of pied stilts stood poised, patiently awaiting the ascent of the sun. The allure of the moment lay in the exquisite dance of light, gracefully transforming the birds from left to right, mirroring the celestial journey of the rising sun. The harmonious interplay between the changing light and the avian residents created a visual symphony, etching a timeless tableau of nature’s beauty.The wonderfully chaotic yet artistically vibrant backdrop in Perth served as the muse for the title of this image. For the uninitiated, the inspiration draws from the Carpenters’ 70s hit, “Jambalaya (On the Bayou),” a song that exudes happiness with its melodic rhythm and paints a vivid picture of life on the bayou. In my mind’s eye, the concept of a bayou conjures images of abundant water, cypress trees standing tall in flooded landscapes adorned with Spanish moss cascading from their branches, and expansive swamplands populated by graceful wading birds. At sunset, a female Australasian darter pauses from preening after a successful fishing session at Lake Macquarie in NSW. Despite their angular nature, this shot captures the bird’s underwater prowess. Picture the scene: the last thing a fish sees as the darter’s long neck launches forward, its bill piercing the water like a skilled spearfisher.At my mother’s place in Tamworth, the garden is home to several families of superb blue wrens. I frequently find joy in observing these small, cheerful birds as they playfully pop around, spreading happiness in their charming way.
Spending weeks in Kaiserstuhl Conservation Park, South Australia, I aimed to capture unique moments of native birds feeding on grass trees. After focusing on front-lit shots, I challenged myself to snap ‘last light’ backlit images. The instant I checked the camera, I knew I had something special—a bird showering itself in pollen while plucking a flower from the stem. In the early morning along the South Perth foreshore, a gentle stir of activity unfolds. The black swans gracefully awaken, gliding across the lake in search of their breakfast. During a drive in Tully Gorge National Park, we unexpectedly encountered a young southern cassowary. There was a curious exchange from a safe distance. I love the charming tilt of his head and the cap-like casque, emphasized through my intentional photo crop.Capturing both the intricate feathers in flight and the cockatoo’s head and feet in the background makes this image magical for me. The use of burst mode allowed me to seize the perfect composition.In an April night’s solitude at the Macleay Island jetty, shrouded in ongoing reconstruction, I awaited a late-ferry passenger. To my surprise, the only companion in the stillness was an observant bush stone-curlew, creating an exclusive and serene encounter.During a sunrise stroll around the lake, I encountered a scarlet robin gracefully flitting among the trees. To avoid a silhouette effect, I strategically positioned myself so that the bird aligned with a tree in the background. Employing a slight underexposure, I preserved detail in the brighter elements of the photo, preventing the loss of the exquisite rim lighting surrounding the bird and the sun filtering through the trees.Seated and immersed in the outback Queensland sunset, I witnessed a captivating moment as a galah descended for its afternoon drink, bathed in a golden glow. A keen understanding of typical behaviors enabled me to capture this shot, strategically positioning myself to harmonize the subject and background in the play of light.Capturing the essence of hovering, a skill these birds masterfully possess, I aimed to showcase the wing movement. Lowering the shutter speed, I steadied the shot against the side of the car, prioritizing focus on the eye. The black-shouldered kite, despite being a bird of prey, exudes a certain softness, a contradiction that this photo aims to capture.Having scouted locations the evening prior, I positioned myself an hour before sunrise to achieve the desired compositions. Some cooperative birds provided a few opportunities, and eventually, a pied oystercatcher presented itself in the perfect position. Holding focus, I captured a silhouette portrait bursting with color from the enchanting city lights of Perth.
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