The 2014 Australian Geographic ANZANG Nature Photographer of the Year collection opens at the WA Museum – Perth tomorrow, 9 April 2015, with winning photographs in two of the 14 categories taken by WA photographer Keith Lightbody.

The competition and exhibition is in its eleventh cycle, and WA Museum CEO Alec Coles said the Museum is proud to have hosted the exhibition from its inception.

“Each year the exhibition has brought more magnificent images of our spectacular natural environment to a growing audience,” Mr Coles said.

“The competition promotes excellence in nature and landscape photography.  It offers a compelling reason for photographers of any age and genre to engage in documenting our beautiful bioregion.”

Western Australia’s Keith Lightbody took first prize in the Our Impact and Threatened Species sections.

“Salinity by Twilight is the photograph I submitted for the Our Impact section. During winter this perched lake near Quairading gains water that runs down from surrounding paddocks which have all been cleared for crops,” Mr Lightbody said.

“Without any exit creeks, it sits still and slowly evaporates during summer, with salt growths and crystals forming on the dead trees.”

Judges said the unusual shapes and appealing colours attracted the viewer’s attention. The scene has been beautifully photographed, and it is only on a second look that the environmental impact is apparent in this desolate landscape.

“Social Drinking is my submission for the Threatened Species category. It shows two Baudin’s Black Cockatoos engaging together as if in mid-conversation, plus a Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo alongside,” Mr Lightbody said.

“There was no wind and it was more than 30 degrees by 8am, so both Baudin’s and the Carnaby’s Black Cockatoos from the local flocks came down from the trees to the farmer’s pond near Nannup for a social drink. A few also had a quick rinse before heading off to look for food.”

The 2014 Australian Geographic ANZANG Nature Photographer of the Year is a free exhibition and will be on display at the WA Museum in Perth from 9 April until 1 June, 2015.

The Australian Geographic ANZANG Nature Photographer of the Year competition is owned by the South Australian Museum.