2025 Photography Competition Winners
Friends of Mason Park Wetland Inc is delighted to announce the winners of our third annual photography competition. Entries were required to reflect some aspect - good or bad - of the biodiversity (flora and fauna) at Mason Park Wetland. The quality of the entries this year was, again, outstanding. The winners have been notified and will be presented their awards in early December.
Scroll down to admire the winning photos and other entries that were highly commended by the judges in 2025. And along the bottom are first, second and third place-getters and highly commended photos from the 2023 and 2024 photography competitions.
We encourage amateur photographers who visit Mason Park Wetland to document its fauna and flora throughout the year and to submit their best four photos in September, when the competition is announced.
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 thecopyright 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.
