2026 Photography Competition
2026 Photography Competition announced!
Friends of Mason Park Wetland Inc is pleased to announce that entries are now open for our fourth annual photography competition. Entries close at 11:59pm on Sunday, October 11, 2026. Photos must reflect some aspect - good or bad - of the biodiversity (flora and fauna) at Mason Park Wetland.
Photographers can submit up to four photos taken at Mason Park Wetland, regardless of when they were taken, provided each entry is formatted according to the competition rules. The only restriction on entries is that winning photographs from previous years in this competition may not be resubmitted.
Full competition rules and competition entry forms can be downloaded from these links.
Friends of Mason Park Wetland Inc has the right to use all submitted images, but copyright belongs to the photographers. If you wish to use any images, please contact us by email and we will connect you with the copyright holders.
1st Place
Brian Halls
The Bully
This photo demonstrated excellent timing by superbly freezing the action of two Pied Stilts squabbling in flight, with one Stilt's mouth wide open. Mason Park Wetland is home to a colony of Stilts. They feed and breed there. The image depicted a day in their life – the dynamic interaction between the birds in the community.
THE 2025 WINNERS
2nd Place
Brian Halls
Rough Landing
The photo successfully captured a Black Swan's splash landing. Its wings are widely spread in an upright position. The head and eyes are well in focus, and the white splash is lovely. The image quality is excellent, with the details of the black-and-white areas of the wing and body well preserved without burning out or blowing out under sunny conditions.
3rd Place
Lennis Lin
Last Puddle
A small waterbird, this Black-fronted Dotterel, was beautifully photographed against the light. The lovely eye with a red eye-ring is sharply in focus, with catchlight. The image quality is superb. It depicted lovely wetland conditions, as shown by the background light reflecting on the water in gorgeous circular bokeh.
In Nature
Tommy Trinh
Wings Over Water
The photo captured well the scene of a flock of cormorants flying over Powells Creek. It shows that the creek is also a vital habitat for waterbirds at the Wetland.
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Technical Excellence
Lennis Lin
Fast Little Thing
Considering how tiny and fast-moving a Yellow Thornbill is, this is technically a superb capture, especially with a relatively clean background.
Creative Originality
Lennis Lin
Patience In Motion
The photo excellently captures the Little Egret engaged in serious hunting. Freezing the motion with the water rings, blown breast plumes and the Egret's reflection blurred by water movement demonstrated great creativity.
In Documentary
Therese O’Leary
Our Guide
It is essential to document Gerry Duane as the guardian/caretaker of Mason Park Wetland. It is vital to have someone like him, who is genuinely caring for wildlife and nature, to conserve the wetland environment.
