ABOUT ME
I am a writer, conservationist, wildlife carer and nature photographer. I live in Toodyay, Western Australia.
I have been taking bird photos since 2007, when I joined BirdLife Australia, Australia's largest organisation devoted to the future of our native bird-life.
As a volunteer member of the BirdLife Western Australia's Community Education Committee I prepare Powerpoint presentations for talks to community groups across Western Australia. In order to prepare the talks, we need photos of Australian bird species. To that end, we maintain a bird digital image library.
Until recently I was the Photo Competition Co-ordinator for BirdLife Photography, which is a Special Interest Group of Birdlife Australia. It provides both a forum and resources for photographers, bird observers and the general public to enhance their knowledge and appreciation of birds through the medium of photography.
OTHER COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENTS
2017
BirdLife Photography Conference, Geelong (March) - Presentations titled 'The Art of Bird Photography' and 'Ethical Bird Photography'
Toodyay Naturalists' Club - Presentation on Bird Photography
WAPF/NIKON 100TH Conference, Government House, Perth, WA (June) - Presentations titled 'The Art of Bird Photography'
BirdLife Western Australia (June- Winter Classes)- Presentation titled 'Bird Photography: the Basics and Beyond'
Judge, Australasian Birdfair Bird Photography Competition
Exhibition, Three Anchors, Albany (December)
2016
Judge, Ecological Society of Australia Photography Competition
WA Camera Club, Presentation titled 'Bird Photography'
Exhibition + Presentation, Team Digital - 'Bird Photography'
MAJOR PHOTOGRAPHIC ACHIEVEMENTS
2017
Winner, BirdLife Photography Tom Oliver Award
Winner, BirdLife Photography Best Photograph of the Year (2016) - DSLR Camera
Winner (Creative Imagery), Bird Photographer of the Year photo competition (UK)
Honourable Mention (Birds in Flight), Bird Photographer of the Year photo competition (UK)
Finalist, Bird Photographer of the Year photo competition (UK) (6 images)
Finalist, Australian Geographic (ANZANG) Nature Photographer of the Year (Animal portrait)
Silver Award /Top 20, Better Photography Photo of the Year 2017 (Revealing Nature) (2 Images)
Silver Award, Better Photography Photo of the Year 2017 (Revealing Nature) (3 Images)
Silver Award (2nd), 4th Golden Orchid International Photography Awards (New York) (Fine Art)
Honourable Mention, 4th Golden Orchid International Photography Awards (New York) (Wildlife)
Winner (Wildlife), Australian Photography Awards 2017 (4 images in Top 20)
Bronze Award(Others) PABA (Pakistan American Business Association) International Photo Competition
2016
Winner (Portfolio Prize), Australian Geographic (ANZANG) Nature Photographer of the Year (6 images - Mud Skipping, A Fishy Present, Emu Field, Orphans, Driftwood River and Buller's Albatross)
Runner-up (Animal Behaviour), Australian Geographic (ANZANG) Nature Photographer of the Year (Mud Skipping)
Runner-up (Threatened Species), Australian Geographic (ANZANG) Nature Photographer of the Year (Buller's Albatross)
2015
Winner (Threatened Species), Australian Geographic (ANZANG) Nature Photographer of the Year (Juvenile Fairy Tern)
Finalist, Australian Geographic (ANZANG) Nature Photographer of the Year: Catch of the Day (Animal Portrait); River Red Gums (Botanic) and Survival (Interpretative)
Bronze Medal (Monochrome), Sydney International Exhibition of Photography
2014
Finalist, Australian Geographic (ANZANG) Nature Photographer of the Year competition (Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo)
Winner (Digital Creations), Australasian Bird Fair
PUBLICATIONS
2017
Booklet, BirdLife Photography (March 2017) - 'The Art of Bird Photography - 10 Inspirational ideas to turn Common Birds into Art'
Article, Australian BirdLife magazine (June 2017), titled 'Why and How to Enter Photo Competitions'
Images (2017): Bird Photographer of the Year 017 (William Collins, 2017), Australian Marine Conservation Society Calendar (January), Australian Birdlife magazine (June), Australian Geographic (Migratory Waders pullout, April), Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year Book and calendar, Book titled 'Birds' by the Ungarinyin, Worrora and Wunambol Gaambera People of Mowanjum Community (Batchelor Press), Department of Parks and Wildlife (WA) (Parks signage), WWF-Australia, Bush Heritage Australia, Birdlife Australia (Threatened Birds promotional material), Sunday Times Newspaper magazine, Northern and Yorke NRM, Northam NRM, City of Canning, Shire of Dundas (Great Western Woodlands), Gillamii Centre (Albany), Central Coast Council (NSW) etc.
2016 & earlier
Article, 'Parrot vs Cockatoo: Is there a difference?', World Parrot Trust magazine PsittaScene'(Summer 2016, no 107)
Article, 'Southern Belles ring loud, clear' (Re Western Ground Parrot), West Australian Newspaper
Article, 'Birding in the Kimberley', Wingspan Magazine (Birdlife Australia)
Images: PsittaScene (Autumn 2014, no 100), Comparative Biogeography by Lynne Parenti and Malte Ebach (Smithsonian Institute, University of California Press), Djerap: Noongar Birds (Batchelor Press, 2014), Australian Geographic Magazine (Sept-October 2016), A Bird's Eye View of Rottnest Island (Rottnest Island Authority, 2009), Department of Parks and Wildlife (WA) (Parks signage), WWF-Australia, Birdlife Australia (Threatened Birds promotional material), West Australian Newspaper (August 2016), Weekend Australian Magazine (July 2016), BirdLife Australia BirdCount App, World Parrot Trust Calendar, Scoop Travel Magazine, Community Newspapers, etc...
BIRD CATALOGUE
I try to provide a comprehensive catalogue of native bird images for identification as well as education and nature conservation purposes.
PHOTOGRAPHING BIRDS
I use CANON gear, in particular most of my bird photography is done with a Canon 1Dx or Canon 7D2 with a Canon F/4 IS USM 600mm Lens, handheld (yes, it can be done!). If you would like to make a comment or just ask a question, please don't hesitate to email me. I am happy to help or let people know how, where, when and why I took a photo. I have included all photo information (EXIF data - camera, lens, shutter speed, aperture etc) on each photo - this should be available in the top right hand side of the image. Just click on the 'I".
MONEY MATTERS & THE WESTERN GROUND PARROT
Images are available from me free of charge for nature education and/or conservation purposes. Just send me an email with your request and I'll give you the password to download the images.
If you have enjoyed looking at my images and feel inspired about Australia's incredible biodiversity, please consider donating to the Western Ground Parrot Project in any event. We desperately need the funds - any amount will do.
