An amazing aerial photo of the Gulf of Carpentaria has taken out a major prize in a national photography contest.
Sydney photographer Scott Portelli claimed top spot in The Nature Conservancy Australia's photography contest with his photo Life Colour winning the Landscape category and also getting an Honorable mention in TNC's global photo contest.
The spectacular aerial shot of the Gulf of Carpentaria shows lush green mangroves lining the mud flats, accentuated by the tidal waters and months of rain filling the artesian basin.
Renowned Australian photographer Christian Fletcher, who was judging the Landscape category, said the image talked about the importance of life-giving water and how, without it, we would all struggle.
"I loved this aerial photograph as it captures the amazingly complex tidal river systems typical of the north of the country," Christian said. "I love the way nature is able to thrive closer to the water source and how it struggles further from it. The image is more relevant today as we live with the effects of climate change."
Scott's other entry, titled Mating Season, depicts a choreography-like encounter between a man and six Giant Australian Cuttlefish. The photo won the People and Nature category.
TNC's Managing Director Alison Rowe said there were more than 10,300 entries received throughout the month of August across four categories.
"This year particularly, people have taken the time to reconnect with nature and the environment. Often in challenging times, nature and wildlife provide comfort and distraction. It looks like many photographers have gone out to the great outdoors to find just that and in the process, found inspiration," she said.
Winners include:
Overall Australian winner - Hannah Le Leu, QLD, Against All Odds
Landscape category - Scott Portelli, NSW, Life Colour
Wildlife category - Harrison Warne, QLD, The Dragon and the Hopper
People in Nature category - Scott Portelli, NSW, Mating Season
Water category - Lewis Burnett, WA, Manta Entourage
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Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
