Returning to shore after a blustery day on the ocean off Tasmania's Eaglehawk Neck, South Australian photographer Chris Young noticed that his vessel was being pursued.
"A Buller’s albatross, the most stunning of our region’s albatrosses, followed behind," Mr Young says.
"Swooping swiftly towards us, it halted in mid-air, deftly avoiding a collision.
"This graceful manoeuvre, despite its size, highlighted its mastery of flight and aerial prowess."
The ensuing stunning photograph, above, is just one of the images shortlisted for the 2025 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year award.
The competition, in its 22nd year, is Australia’s most prestigious nature photographic contest, and this year attracted 1864 images from 449 photographers in 18 countries.
Entries are accepted covering content from across the ANZANG bioregion – Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica and New Guinea.
Photographers submitted entries across 10 categories: Animals in Nature, Aerial, Macro, Landscape, Threatened Species, Monochrome, Our Impact, Astrophotography, Portfolio and Junior.
The winners will be revealed by video announcement on Thursday 28 August, and an exhibition featuring the 99 shortlisted images will open at the Museum on Saturday 30 August.
There will also be a People’s Choice award, announced in January.
The overall winner will receive $10,000, with category winners receiving $1500 and the junior winner taking home $500.
The judges included Scott Portelli, who was the overall competition winner in 2021 and 2024, professional photographer David Stowe and ecologist and wildlife photographer Jasmine Vink.
South Australian Museum Board Chair Professor Robert Saint AM said he looked forward to the exhibition every year.
"It provides a remarkable window to the natural world and is a key reason why the South Australian Museum is considered one of the premier museums in the country," Prof Saint said.
"The more we, as a community, see and learn about nature and all its glory, the better we are able to protect and sustain it.
"I am sure that this exhibition will continue its tradition of opening our hearts, delighting and challenging our minds, and growing our love for nature."
Judge Scott Portelli said this year's entries revealed exceptional talent across a range of genres.
"It was truly an honour to be part of the process and see photographers rewarded for their hard work, dedication and commitment to the craft," Mr Portelli said.
"We have some of the most unique landscapes, wildlife, natural wonders and this competition brings out a positive message for conservation. I am in awe of all the shortlisted photographers and their amazing work.
Australian Geographic Picture Editor Lyndal Irons backed Mr Portelli's sentiments.
"Each year we continue to be surprised and our perspective expanded by the work of nature photographers at the top of their game – and those who are rising through the ranks," Ms Irons said.
The exhibition will run at the Museum until 1 February 2026. More information on the exhibition can be found here.
Below are just some of the shortlisted entries across the categories.
Standing Watch, Lewis Burnett, Western Australia
Huddled together for warmth on a cold morning, these juvenile numbats (affectionately known as numbubs) survey their surroundings for any potential threats. With introduced species such as the feral cat and European red fox to contend with, their formative years are spent learning to blend in with their woodland surroundings, always alert to danger.
Crown of Light, Kavan Chay, New Zealand
The auroral display from this night was a global phenomenon, with many people getting their chance to witness it. I drove to these sea stacks just outside of Christchurch, hopeful that I’d get the Aurora Australis shot that I’d been searching for. I think I managed it with this.
Party Streamer, Rachelle Mackintosh, New South Wales
Orca WA007 joyfully leaps out of the Bremer Canyon after devouring a Cuvier’s beaked whale, her prey’s intestines subtly hanging from her mouth like a festive decoration. Around 300 of these mammal hunting orcas have been recorded in this remote Southern Ocean hotspot, with unfolding research suggesting they may be their own ecotype.
Tree-less Kangaroo, Jake Wilton, New South Wales
A Lumholtz’s tree kangaroo is forced to hop across the ground as it moves to another small patch of rainforest trees for food. Due to extensive habitat destruction and fragmentation only 4 per cent of the original Mabi forest remains, bringing the tree kangaroos into direct contact with vehicles and feral predators.
Priscilla, Peter McGee, New South Wales
About the size of a dumpling, the southern dumpling or bobtail squid are treasured photography subjects. These nocturnal creatures emerge cloaked in vivid colours as if wearing shimmering eye makeup. Usually timid, they tend to hide when seen. This one however, affectionately named ‘Priscilla,’ happily lingered, posing for a photoshoot.
Suspended, Oliver Lacey, Queensland
Shortly after a storm had passed, I almost walked straight into this small round orb weaver in my backyard. Its web had been all but destroyed by the heavy rain. Suspended between its remaining anchor points, it scrambled along and soon made it to the other side.
Alpine Magic, Scott Leggo, ACT
I was huddled on the ground around my tripod to protect my camera from the buffeting winds at below zero, with minus 14 degrees wind chill. Mount Feathertop made for a stunning backdrop. Minutes later, the first snow began to fall as a storm set in, dumping nearly a metre of snow.
Winter Mountain, Craig McGowan, Queensland
Viewing the Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park from the air delivers a new perspective. On this winter’s day the cloud base was continually moving. Changing breaks in the cloud allowed ever-moving dappled sunlight to touch the mountains below.
