Shellharbour City Council has announced the 2021 Wild About Shellharbour Nature Photography Competition winners.

The annual Wild About Shellharbour competition provides a unique opportunity for Shellharbour City residents to celebrate their local natural environment.

The winning entries include photos of iconic areas in Shellharbour like Mulangong Falls in Macquarie Pass National Park, and local native wildlife including the unusual Red-fingered Anglerfish found at Bass Point.

Participants could enter the 17 years and under or 18 years and over section of the three categories: native wildlife, landscapes and native plants, and beaches and waterways.

Shellharbour Mayor Marianne Saliba said that the 2021 competition was the biggest year yet with over 250 entries received.

“Wild About Shellharbour showcases Shellharbour’s natural beauty through the lens of its residents,” Cr Saliba said.

“The quality and imagination of the photographs produced this year is astounding, and I encourage the community to check them out.

I’m looking forward to seeing what’s in store for next year as the competition continues to grow,” she said.

Prizes were provided by local Shellharbour business PhotoMart, and Kramer Photography assisted in the judging process.

A display showcasing 60 shortlisted images will feature in the Shellharbour Civic Centre foyer when the Civic Centre reopens. The winning and shortlisted images can also be viewed online at www.shellharbourciviccentre.com.au under ‘Exhibitions’.

2021 winners included:

Native wildlife 17 years and under:
Runner up: Samara Anderson for Oyster Eater
Winner: Saxon Vinkovic for Summer Lagoon

Native wildlife 18 years and over:
Highly commended: Les Smolders for Bright Surprise
Runner up: Amy Semmelweis for Crested Tern with lunch
Winner: Steve Gillespie for Hidden Angler Fish

Landscapes and native plants 17 years and under:
Runner up: Aidan Pawson for Bewitching Bloom of Banksia
Winner: Samara Anderson for Tree of Life

Landscapes and native plants 18 years and over:
Highly commended: Deniz Ahishali for The Underdog
Runner up: Les Smolders for Mountain Devil
Winner: Arthur Komninos for Wise Old Gum Tree

Beaches and waterways 17 years and under:
Runner up: Emma Jessop for Still Reflections
Winner: Emre Ahishali for Misty Mountain

Beaches and waterways 18 years and over:
Highly commended: Deniz Ahishali for Windang Island Wheels
Runner up: Rik de Jager for Harbour Milky Way
Winner: Taryn Ruiz for Mulangong Falls

The winner of the lucky entry prize of a $100 Shellharbour City Council nursery voucher was won by Janaya Townsend.