Stunning underwater shot clinches top honor in Australia's premier nature photography competition
The 2025 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year competition has culminated in a showcase of breathtaking nature photography, attracting 1,864 entries from 449 photographers across 18 countries.
The prestigious competition, produced by the South Australian Museum, spans 10 diverse categories, including Animals in Nature, Threatened Species, Junior, and Astro. This year's winners showcase various aspects of nature, from fragile ecosystems and elusive wildlife to otherworldly aerials and macro perspectives.
In the Nature Photograph of the Year category, Piotr Durek's captivating image "Fractal Forest" featuring a Cauliflower soft coral (Dendronephthya sp.) took the top spot. Meanwhile, Charles Davis's "PJ & Crabs" won in the Animals in Nature category, featuring a Port Jackson Shark (Heterodontus portusjacksoni).
The Threatened Species category saw Etienne Littlefair's "Red Dwan" take the prize, showcasing a rare and elusive Ghost bat (Macroderma gigas). In the Our Impact category, Sara Corlis's "Skink in a Tight Spot" featuring a Common garden skink (Lampropholis guichenoti) highlighted the impact humans can have on our natural world.
The Junior category was won by Isabella Rogers with her striking image "Perched" of a Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla). The Galah was captured during a morning walk in Hewett, South Australia.
The overall winner of the competition has been revealed, but the People's Choice Award is yet to be announced, with the public vote set to take place in January 2026.
One of the standout entries was Ross Gudgeon's "Fractal Forest", a mesmerising underwater shot that captured the beauty of a Cauliflower soft coral. The image was taken in the Great Barrier Reef, showcasing the delicate balance of life within this fragile ecosystem.
Another highlight was the image of a Ghost bat, a rare and elusive species with strict roost requirements. The bat was captured on 1 January 2025, adding an element of timeliness to the competition.
The official exhibition of all 99 shortlisted images is currently on display at the South Australian Museum until 1st February 2026. The winners' announcement video can be watched here, and the full online gallery is available on the South Australian Museum's website.
The competition serves as a reminder of the beauty and fragility of our natural world, and the importance of capturing these moments for future generations to appreciate. The 2025 winners have certainly achieved this, offering a glimpse into the diverse and captivating world of nature photography.
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