In this category, youth from 15 – 17 years of age can enter images in landscape or portrait orientation. A winner, highly commended and three finalists will be determined. We are so happy to see incredible images from the next generation of nature photographers.

Crikey! Kids – Winning Image:

Winner: Jared Miner | Age 16

‘Waterfall Warriors’

I was in awe as I watched brown bears at Katmai National Park display various fishing techniques. The featured bear was an amazing angler, snatching the fish at just the right second as they tried to make their way upstream.

Location: Brooks Falls, Alaska
Camera/Lens: Canon EOS 90D, Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 lens

Highly Commended: Michael Lun | Age 17

‘Wren Romance in the Canopy’

On a chilly, hazy morning at our log cabin north of Walpole, I saw an elegant couple perched in a tree from my window. I grabbed my camera and rushed outside, capturing this perfect moment in just two minutes. It is a memory that will stay with me forever.

Location: Walpole, Western Australia, Australia
Camera/Lens: Olympus EM1 MK3, Olympus 40-150mm lens

Finalist: Jared Miner | Age 16

‘Prismatic Jewel’

I had been taking photos of wildlife throughout the day when a vibrant hummingbird came to rest on a beautiful flower nearby me. I was able to quickly capture the details of its tiny wings and beak as it paused for a fugacious moment.

Location: San Diego, California, United States of America
Camera/Lens: Canon EOS 90D, Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 lens

Finalist: John Peters | Age 17

‘Whispers in the Tall Grass’

This double-barred finch had been playing hide and seek amongst the tall grass, and because of how small the bird was and how dense the surroundings were, I relied on its melodic chirps in order to locate its whereabouts.

Location: Plainland, Queensland, Australia
Camera/Lens: Canon 90D, Tamron 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 lens

Finalist: Riley Matthews | Age 17

‘Long Forest Queen’

Out looking for an ideal location to start her new colony, this ant queen was found not long after her nuptial flight. Myrmecia pyriformis are some of the largest bull ants in Australia, with queens ranging between 25mm and 30mm in length.

Location: Long Forest Conservation Reserve, Victoria, Australia
Camera/Lens: Nikon D5600, Venus Laowa 60mm F/2.8 2:1 Ultra Macro Manual Focus Lens with Raynox, DCR250 Super Macro Lens 2:1 Clip-on