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Moments in Nature

rianbow bee eaters moments in nature

Stories Told Through the Lens

Nature photography has a quiet way of drawing you in. I have been taking photos for over 50 year. It started out with a film camera, and motor racing was my subject. The cameras progressed as the technology changed. Canon has always been my go to camera but I have tried others as well. Now even the trusty iPhone can take great photos.


Motor racing was exciting but something drew me to the tranquillity. Nature photography asks you to slow down, to notice details, and to be present in the moment. While my passion now sits firmly with capturing images of wildlife and nature, I’ve learned over time that every photographic opportunity can be fulfilling, from sweeping landscapes and historic sites to intimate city scenes, to family occasions and kids sport. What matters most is curiosity, patience, and the simple joy of being outdoors with a camera in hand.


People often called it "still" photography which harkened back to the age when the subjects had to be still. Then later, I guess, differentiating from video. But a single photograph can be anything but still, every photograph has a type of kinetic energy.


Birds and Wildlife: Patience Above All


Bird and wildlife photography is as much about observation as it is about equipment. Animals don’t work to a schedule, and they certainly don’t pose on command. That’s why my personal mantra for wildlife photography is simple:

Wait. Listen. Look.

humming bird Ecuador

Patience is everything

Often the best moments come when you’ve stopped chasing the shot and instead let the environment unfold around you. Birds in particular reward stillness whether it’s a tiny fairy-wren flitting through the undergrowth or a powerful owl chick watching the world from a branch near home.



Landscapes and Scenery


Sunset on the Napo River, Ecuadorian Amazon


It’s not always about the wildlife; sunsets on the Napo River in Ecuador were some of the most memorable moments of my travels. The scale of the Amazon humbles you, but it’s the quiet transitions the changing light, the softening colours, the stillness on the water that stay with you long after you leave. Photography becomes less about chasing a subject and more about being present, allowing nature to reveal itself at its own pace.


 

Equipment That Fits the Moment


For most of my photography, I shoot with a Canon R6 Mk III, a camera that offers the speed, flexibility, and image quality needed for fast-moving wildlife as well as more relaxed landscape work.


Birds & Wildlife


My go-to setup is the Canon RF 100–400 mm zoom lens, often paired with a 2× extender, giving me reach out to 800 mm. Wildlife doesn’t always come to you, and that extra distance can make all the difference allowing you to capture natural behaviour without disturbing the subject.


Landscapes & City Scenes


When travelling light, the Canon RF 24–240 mm is a wonderfully practical lens. It’s versatile, easy to carry, and ideal for everything from coastal landscapes and historic buildings to spontaneous street scenes.


Camera Settings: Control with Flexibility


I tend to favour Manual (M) mode, though AV (Aperture Priority) and TV (Shutter Priority) also have their place depending on conditions. I’ve set up custom camera modes specifically for bird photography, including fast shutter speeds up to 1/3500 sec essential for birds in flight and for incredibly fast subjects like hummingbirds.


For most of my photography I will use a combination of auto focus and manual focus. It will depend on the subject and conditions. Modern cameras auto focus can be exceptional and fast.


That said, settings are only tools. Comfort and familiarity with your camera matter far more than chasing perfection on the dial. Don't be afraid to use the Auto mode that most cameras will have. The camera will try to give you the best photo that it can.


Camera maintenance is really important, specially in areas with lots of rain, high humidity or dust and dirt. Look after the cameras and lenses and they will produce the best result. Top tips:

  • Use a UV or Starlight filter on your lenses - it's cheaper to replace a filter if scratched than the lens.

  • Use a lens cap to protect the lens - keeps dust and fingers off.

  • Use a lens hood - they stop sunlight flares on the photos.

  • Always carry extra batteries - you don't want to see that special something with a dead camera.

  • Do basic cleaning and maintenance often - lens smudges and dust don't come off after the photo is taken.

  • Get a good quality, waterproof backpack.


Beyond Australia: A World of Stories


While much of my photography is based along the east coast of Australia, travel has given me unforgettable opportunities to see and record wildlife across the world:

  • Ecuador – From the magical hummingbirds at Uzhupud Garden to unforgettable sunsets deep in the Amazon.

  • Sri Lanka – Wild elephants moving through reserves and elusive leopards in places like Yala.

  • Madagascar – Lemurs that feel almost otherworldly, each encounter etched into memory.

  • Australia – The small birds that visit us at Forrest Delicate Nobby, and the powerful owls that return year after year near our home in Sydney.



Each moment and location tells a different story, and photography allows those moments to live on long after the journey ends.


The Right Place at the Right Time


Yes, photography can be luck! Even the most professional of photographers will tell you that some times luck is a key element. Being in the right place at the right time.


We spent a lot of time in Sri Lanka looking for Leopards. There are around 700 to 1,000 Sri Lankan leopards left in the wild. They are the cornerstone apex predator but at risk due to loss of habitat. We had some photos of leopards but not close up until late afternoon on the second day at Yala National Park. On our second day there and nearing closing time we found a lazy leopard in the middle of the track!


sri lakan leopard

Kati-Thanda (or Lake Eyre) only fills once every 10 years or so. How lucky were we when we happen to be there during the peak of a major fill event. Did we plan it, no, but did we take advantage, oh yeah.




Photography Is for Everyone

One of the questions I’m asked most often is:

What do you need to do wildlife photography?

The answer is simple: yourself and a camera.


You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars to get started. Begin with what you have. Take photos. Share them with friends. Learn as you go. When you’re ready, there are countless online photography courses and communities to explore, but none of them replace time spent outside, paying attention.


Major Photography Organisations & Federations


Enjoy the Moment


john and lemur Madagascar

Above all, remember to stay relaxed and enjoy the experience. You can see a lot through a viewfinder, but often there’s even more to notice when you lower the camera and simply look around.


There are endless opportunities for photographs in nature, in cities, close to home, or on the other side of the world. As the saying goes:

Every picture tells a story

The moments in nature that we capture can never truly be forgotten.


 

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