This image captures a glowing frog perched on a bioluminescent mushroom, a sight rarely seen. The frog’s blue biofluorescent glow is created when its skin absorbs light at one wavelength and emits it at another. Many living organisms, including humans, can fluoresce under specific conditions, offering a glimpse into nature’s hidden wonders.
2. “Glimpse into the endangered red handfish's unique beginnings.” by Andrea Williamson. Judge’s Choice Winner.
Red Handfish embryos successfully bred in captivity mark a step forward in saving this critically endangered species. With fewer than 100 adults surviving in two small reef areas in Tasmania, conservationists hope these efforts will secure their future.
3. “Ruby Bonnets” by Charlie Chadwick. Finalist.
Ruby Bonnets, a small mushroom species, grow on decomposing wood in Tasmania’s rainforests. While their caps are pinhead-sized, the true star is their mycelium network underground, connecting plants and aiding in nutrient transfer.
4. “Aurora Dreams” by Carmel Gledhill. Finalist.
Auroras are created when solar wind particles interact with Earth’s atmosphere near the poles. These lights shimmer in hues of green, red, blue, and purple due to gases like oxygen and nitrogen, offering a dazzling natural display during solar storms.
5. “Moments in the Mirror” by James Britton. Finalist.
A white-faced heron’s reflection in the water demonstrates the physics of light. The angle of incidence and reflection creates a mirror-like image, a phenomenon observed across many fields of science.
6. “Mite on bracken” by Ben Travaglini. Finalist.
A rare mite, from the Callidosomatinae subfamily, scurries through Tasmania’s dry undergrowth. These tiny, fast-moving creatures are often overlooked in macro photography due to their size and speed.
7. “Tannin Tarn” by Nathan Waterhouse. Finalist.
This photo shows a branch submerged in tannin-rich water, a result of plant compounds leaching into streams and lakes. The amber hues are a signature feature of Tasmania’s rivers, particularly in the highlands and western regions.
8. “Reviving Giants: Hope for Tasmania's Kelp Forests” by Paula Andrea Ruiz Ruiz. Finalist.
Marine ecologists are working to seed giant kelp along Tasmania’s East Coast. These efforts aim to rejuvenate ecosystems, as kelp forests provide vital shelter and nutrients for countless marine species.
9. “Milky Way over Hobart City” by David Nolan. Finalist.
Light pollution dims the stars, disrupting ecosystems, human sleep cycles, and our connection to the cosmos. It also obscures the Milky Way, depriving urban dwellers of the beauty of a naturally dark night sky.
10. “Welcome to Dreamland” by Alistair Luckman. Finalist.
A powerful solar storm on May 11, 2024, created a stunning light show over Australia. Charged particles from the sun interacted with Earth’s atmosphere, producing vibrant auroras that lit up the night sky.
11. “Eddies of Time” by Deon Scanlon. Finalist.
The rugged remains of a Snow Peppermint tree on Mt. Wellington in Australia reflect its life of endurance in harsh conditions. Though its life ended, it continues to contribute to the ecosystem, illustrating nature’s endless cycle.
12. “Ocean warriors” by Luke Brokensha. Finalist.
Coccolithophores, single-celled plankton, play a key role in reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide. Using photosynthesis and calcium carbonate shells for protection, they support oceanic carbon storage, a vital process in addressing climate change.
