Sue-Ellen Smith won the category for the image that best evoked a connection to wild animals, with her photo of a diamond python, at the fourth annual Animals in the Wild photo competition, at Gallery Bodalla, over the June long weekend.
Sue-Ellen said she took the photo at a friend’s house.
“The snakes there are never hurt and just hang around. You can get fairly close, although I do have a pretty good lens,” the photographer said.
When Sue-Ellen saw the competition announced by NSW Greens MP David Shoebridge she knew it was for her.
“I totally support the concept ‘shoot with a camera’,” Sue-Ellen said.
“Guns are okay to control feral animals but our native animals and bird numbers are plunging, they need our support.”
Competition judge, Rex Dupain, said of Sue-Ellen’s scaly portrait: “One can’t help to marvel at the python’s awesome textures and patterns. Its skin consists of black and showered with shimmering yellow spots, while head rests with a commanding presence. And as for that eye, I guess it spotted the photographer.”
