Nature Photo of the Year
by Shane Sody
A photo taken within your Adelaide Park Lands is one of the finalists in this year's "Nature Photographer of the Year" competition.
Emmanuel Smith took this stunning image that he's called "Bat Hands".
Emmanuel Smith’s comments on his entry “Bat Hands”: Grey-headed flying fox wings are skin stretched between fingers. These delicate bones provide the frame for a flexible membrane. Only their thumb is left free, which has a large claw used for climbing and grooming.
During an eastern states drought in 2010, tens of thousands of grey-headed flying foxes or fruit bats (Pteropus poliocephalus) came to Adelaide, finding a new home in Botanic Park (Park 11 of your Park Lands).
Though the bats are plentiful here in Adelaide, the species is regarded as "threatened" in the rest of Australia.
Photographer Emmanuel Smith
Emmanuel Smith is a noted wildlife photographer, often featuring shots from your Park Lands on his Instagram feed.
He says the River Torrens between Adelaide University and the Zoo [Park 12] is his favorite part of your Park Lands “as this is where the Flying Foxes abundantly demonstrate their belly dipping behavior (mostly in summer on days above 35 degrees).”
As Emmanuel says: “They do this belly dip to cool off on hot days and to drink water off their fur.”
I put some questions to Emmanuel about himself and his work.
What other parts of the Park Lands do you enjoy visiting?
“This is the only section that I visit for my photography, as its where the Flying Fox colony is located. I enjoy visiting all other parts when with friends and family.”
How do you take such beautiful photos?
“I have dedicated 8 years of my life to photography, so over the years I have learnt a lot of the key skills in taking good pictures. My image 'Bat Hands' required a lot of patience and tracking the Flying Foxes in flight with the camera.”
Do you need a lot of patience?
“Yes you need a lot of patience to be a wildlife photographer. 95% of the time you will not be taking the pictures that you want, due to the animal not behaving in a desirable way, the lighting isn't as good as you want, or not even seeing the animal that you want to photograph, just to name a few of the obstacles.”
What do you like doing when you're not out with your camera?
“Although I spend a lot of time out with my camera, I enjoy cycling, swimming, hiking and spending quality time with friends and family.”
Do you have any other passions?
“I have a passion for wildlife and biology, which is why I mainly photograph the natural world!”
The three images above were taken by Emmanuel Smith in Belair National Park.
The Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year competition is "owned and produced by the South Australian Museum". The competition includes photos of natural fauna, flora or natural land/sky formations within the Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica or New Guinea region.
The SA Museum has unveiled a gallery of finalist images, which you can see here: https://www.samuseum.sa.gov.au/c/npoty
Prize winners will be announced on Thursday 28 August 2024.