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 – 15 – 17 years Winning Image:

Winner: Salahuddin Ahmed | 17 Years

‘Curious Damselfly’

A damselfly peeks through a tiny hole in a vibrant green leaf, as if nature had crafted the perfect window. The natural framing creates a playful and artistic composition, beautifully capturing the insect’s attentive character and revealing the hidden wonders in simple moments.

Location: Gaibandha, Bangladesh
Camera/Lens: Realme 8 5G, mobile macro lens

Highly Commended: Salahuddin Ahmed | 17 Years

‘Baby Mantis’

A baby praying mantis perches on the curled tip of a young fern leaf. With its distinctive head, large compound eyes, and raptorial forelegs, it is a skilled ambush predator. Its delicate form contrasts with the symmetry of the fern, creating a harmonious insect-plant balance.

Location: Gaibandha, Bangladesh
Camera/Lens: Realme 8 5G, mobile macro lens

Finalist: Liam Keiller | 17 years

‘Intricate Details’

This photo highlights the intricate details of a giraffe’s neck. The high-key technique and backlighting emphasise its hair and subtle shadows, creating a striking silhouette effect.

Location: Monarto Safari Park, South Australia
Camera/Lens: Fujifilm X-T4, 150-500mm f/5-6.7 lens

Finalist: Oliver Lacey | 17 Years

‘Bedtime Buddies’

These little guys are part of a group of just under 30 blue-banded bees roosting in my backyard. The species is solitary, so each female builds her own burrow. However, the males gather together at night for safety, gripping on to the same few twigs each night.

Location: Brisbane, Australia
Camera/Lens: Sony a6500, 60mm f/2.8 macro II lens

Finalist: Oliver Lacey | 17 Years

‘Nest of Silk’

I found this female green jumping spider in my backyard and struggled to get her in focus as she scurried back and forth, carefully weaving her silk into a nest. Once complete, this nest will be used as a shelter to rest in, and potentially to lay her egg-sacs in.

Location: Brisbane, Australia
Camera/Lens: Canon M50, EF-M 15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM lens (with extension tubes)