Queensland photographer Hannah Le Leu has taken out the grand prize in The Nature Conservancy Australia (TNC)’s 2021 Photo Contest with her stunning shot of a Green Sea Turtle hatchling. Titled Against All Odds, the fantastic picture captures the exact moment the hatchling surfaces for air to a sky full of hungry birds.
This year’s competition saw great participation, with over 10,300 entries.
“I took the picture during hatchling season at Heron Island in February 2021,” said Le Leu. “A tropical storm had just engulfed the island with pelting rain, thunder and lightning. The storm brought out thousands of birds, making this hatchling’s journey to survive even more challenging.”
TNC Australia Managing Director Alison Rowe said Le Leu’s picture of the turtle hatchling showed how important timing was to capture the perfect shot. “With the hatchling emerging from the bright turquoise ocean to a grey sky full of threatening birds, there is such a dramatic atmosphere to the picture. What an incredible way to convey the vulnerability of the hatchling.”
For her impressive image, Le Leu has won her share of $16,000 in prizes, including a Sherpa gift voucher, a Camera Electric voucher and a one-hour tutorial session with professional photographer and photo contest judge Adrian Alford.
Alison Rowe said there was something special about the 2021 photo contest. “This year particularly, people have taken the time to reconnect with nature and the environment. Often in challenging times, nature and wildlife provide comfort and distraction. It looks like many photographers have gone out to the great outdoors to find just that and in the process, found inspiration,” she said.
“Australia has such a splendid and diverse environment, with spectacular landscapes and unique wildlife. These wonderful images are a great reminder of the raw and quirky beauty of the place we call home, but also of its fragility,” she added.
Readers also enjoyed our story about ALGA President Linda Scott
