2019 feels like a lifetime ago, yet it remains one of my most rewarding years as a nature photographer. I was fortunate to travel for work—and with my camera always by my side, I found myself in the right place at the right time, more than once.
From the wild beaches of Tasmania to the towering rainforests of Papua New Guinea, here are some highlights from that unforgettable year—images that stir strong memories, capture rare moments, and tell stories I’ll never forget.
Tasmania Adventures – Calm, Coastal, and Close-Up
Hooded Plover – Up Close with the Endangered
In parts of mainland Australia, Hooded Plovers are endangered and notoriously hard to find. But in Tasmania—especially along its vast, untouched beaches—they were more common, yet just as captivating.
I spent hours lying in the sand, camera ready, letting one bird get used to my presence. Eventually, curiosity got the better of it, and it wandered right up to me. A calm, intimate moment—exactly the kind I always hope to capture.
Black Swan – A Peaceful Encounter in Margate
Another memorable Tasmanian moment came in the quiet bays near Margate, where I spotted a Black Swan gliding through still water. Though the species is widespread, the setting and lighting made this image special to me—serene, minimal, and reflective in more ways than one.
Northward Bound – Photographing Papua New Guinea
After my time in Tasmania, I headed north to Papua New Guinea—and entered an entirely different world of birdlife. Towering trees, elusive species, and thick rainforest made every photo a challenge… and a thrill.
Red-flanked Lorikeets – A One-Time Opportunity
These colourful birds were not uncommon in PNG, but they almost always perched at the tops of the tallest trees—and believe me, the trees in PNG are tall! That made them difficult to photograph, until one lucky day when I found two lorikeets checking out a probable nest site at eye level. It was a rare opportunity—one I was never given again.
This particular photo even inspired an artist to create a beautiful watercolour painting based on the scene. Moments like these remind me why I always carry my camera.
Knob-billed Fruit Dove – A World-Class Find
Now, this one truly was special. The Knob-billed Fruit Dove is so rarely seen that even Wikipedia uses an illustration for its species page. When I uploaded my photo to eBird, they chose it as the preview image for the species (they had to mirror it, of course, as eBird requires all birds to face right).
You can see it here.
At the time of my upload, I was one of only ten people in the world who had managed to photograph this elusive bird. It’s easily one of the rarest captures of my career.
Common Kingfisher – Not So Common After All
Although it’s common in Europe, seeing a Common Kingfisher in PNG was a dream come true for an Australian photographer like me. It took several weeks of careful tracking before I was able to snap this image. The bird foraged along the beach and was incredibly wary—there was no way to approach it directly.
Eventually, I managed to sneak up slowly and capture a few precious frames. A challenging but incredibly rewarding experience.
Closer to Home – Birds Around My Local Area
Not all great photos come from remote adventures. Some of my favourite captures from 2019 were taken close to home.
Crested Pigeon – The Rain-Soaked Park
This Crested Pigeon was resting peacefully in one of my local parks. Recent rain had soaked the background in vibrant greens and saturated colours, giving the image a lush, painterly feel. The bird was relaxed and comfortable with my presence—it almost felt like I was part of the family for the day.
Striated Heron – Focused and Fierce
This final image is of a Striated Heron, totally focused on tracking fish from its perch. Its claws are tightly wrapped, muscles tense, and the messy background adds a sense of mystery and intensity to the scene. It was even chosen as Photo of the Day on eBird—a nice honour for a moment that I remember vividly.
The Hard Lesson
I was planning to include more photos in this post, but as I was going through my hard drive… it decided to pack it in. I’m still hopeful that the images aren’t lost and can be recovered, but if there’s one takeaway—it’s the importance of backing up your photos. A lesson learned the hard way.
I’d love to hear which photo or story resonated with you the most. Let me know in the comments below—and thank you for taking the time to revisit 2019 with me.
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