The 2014 winners of the Ecological Society of Australia’s photo competition were announced today at the Society’s conference in Alice Springs. The competition aims to promote the beauty and diversity of Australia’s biodiversity and ecosystems, and the role of the science of ecology in unravelling their mysteries.

Out Standing in the Field: Ecologists in Action

Jordan de Jong won this category, which celebrates how and where ecologists work, with Leap Frog.

Jordan’s photo shows ecologist, Marta Vidal Garcia, placing a frog on a 'chess board' to record it jumping. The frog’s movements are analysed and compared with other characteristics, such as their body and limb morphology, and phylogeny. Marta’s research into the evolution and diversification of frogs will provide a better understanding of Australia’s amazing amphibian fauna.

Niches & Hollows: Adaptive Behaviour and Australian Biodiversity

Richard Wylie won this category, which highlights the study of behavioural ecology and the role adaptation plays in Australian biodiversity, with Enchanted Dragons.

Weedy Seadragons are the only members of the genus Phyllopteryx and are endemic to sub-temperate and temperate Australian waters. They are listed by the IUCN as Near Threatened. The Weedy Seadragon captured by Richard can usually be found underneath Flinders Pier and, with the late afternoon sun slanting through the water, the scene he photographed resembled an enchanted garden.

Beneath Southern Skies: Unique Australian Landscapes 

This category focussed on images of landscapes that present the unique diversity of environments that make up the Australian continent, and have shaped the Australian biota. The winner is Christian Spencer for Glory to the Sun. Christian took a photo of an interesting phenomenon of a glory around the sun in Coffin Bay, South Australia.

Best Overall Image Award

Christian Spencer’s  Glory to the Sun  was also voted the Best Overall Image in the ESA 2014 Photo Competition.

People’s Choice Award

Prosefina Austria won the People’s Choice Award for Plead for Rain, a photo of a dam taken at Gayndah in Queensland.  

Best Portfolio Award

The Best Portfolio Award, which was won jointly by Aaron Greenville and Richard Wylie this year, rewards entrants who consistently enter highly professional images. 

Details of all the winners here.