Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year - People's Choice winner announced

An image by West Australian photographer Gary Meredith, Huddle up, it’s cold!, has been named winner of the People's Choice in the 2020 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year at the South Australian Museum.

The photograph of rainbow bee-eaters bunched together on a branch was taken in a remote area of the Great Sandy Desert in Western Australia. The rainbow bee-eaters pictured roost together at night, flying out each morning to sit together in the warmth of the rising sun. In winter the birds huddle together to stay warm.

Mr Meredith said the behaviour displayed is quite rare, with very few documented occurrences. “I have spent the last four years photographing this behaviour each winter once these birds have migrated north after breeding in the south of Australia over summer. These birds are spooked easily, so to minimise my chance of disturbing them, I set up a photography hide made out of branches and leaves in front of their favourite perch. I felt great pride in the fact that I never caused these beautiful birds to take flight when they were trying to warm up in the pursuit of photographing this behaviour.”

Director of the South Australian Museum Brian Oldman said that Mr Meredith’s photograph appealed on many levels. “Not only does this photograph portray a lovely and rare moment in time, it also depicts a sense of closeness and connection - something that has been missed by many in 2020.”

The exhibition is open until Sunday, 15 November. Visit the South Australian Museum’s website for more information or to purchase tickets.

Get more stories like this delivered
free to your inbox. Sign up here.