The WA Parks Foundation is Western Australia’s charity partner for parks; an independent and supportive organisation committed to connecting more people with the State’s outstanding network of national parks, marine parks and reserves. On a mission to connect people to nature, the Foundation delivers projects that celebrate, protect, and enrich WA’s parks. One such project is the Wild Wonders of Western Australia photo competition.
The photo competition was held in late 2024 as part of the Foundation’s increasingly popular Spring into Parks program supported by Lotterywest (see ‘Consciously connecting with nature’, LANDSCOPE, spring 2022).
The winning image for the 2024 competition was a stunning shot along the Gibb River by Bryan May. The Gibb River Road is a popular adventure following the 660-kilometre outback road that was originally constructed in the 1960s to transport cattle from outlying stations to the ports of Derby and Wyndham.
‘Branco’s Sunrise’ at Gibb River. Photo – Bryan May
Bryan’s photo was taken at Branco’s Lookout, capturing the spectacular views from the cliff edge along the river. The lookout requires a steep climb to get to, showing Bryan really put in the effort to get the award-winning shot.
The second prize winner was a marvellous moment in time between two great crested grebes (Podiceps cristatus) and their young, by Naidu Kumpatla. The image was captured at Herdsman Lake and fittingly titled ‘Parental Symphony’.
Herdsman Lake is the largest waterbird breeding site in the Perth metropolitan area and home to a huge variety of ducks, swans, and egrets to name a few. The surrounding flowering trees are a hotspot for western wattlebirds, red wattlebirds, willie wagtails, silvereyes and new holland honeyeaters.
Dancing with the with the Waves’ at Red Bluff. Photo – Brian Yeo
The three runners up were Brian Yeo for ‘Dancing with the Waves’ (Red Bluff); Liam Drennan for ‘First Light at Bluff ’ (Bluff Knoll); and Harrison Green for ‘Aurora and Milky Way’ at Boulders Rock (Midgegooroo National Park).
For the first time, a video component was added to the competition and the winning video by Toni Battle can be found on the WA Parks Foundation website ourwaparks.org.au
First Light at Bluff Knoll. Photo – Liam Drennan
‘Peek-A-Boo’ at Yanchep National Park. Photo – Colin Wimbridge
‘Thomas Dambo’s Santi Ikto Giant’ at Halls Head, Mandurah. Photo – Donald Chin
‘Dolphin Pod’ at Cheynes Beach. Photo – Lex Porebski
