Whales’ unique “bubble-net feeding” wins 2024 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year

A breathtaking drone image of humpback whales engaged in “bubble-net feeding” has won the 2024 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year competition. Captured by Western Australian photographer and tour operator Scott Portelli, the winning shot, Bubble-net, showcases the whales’ unique hunting strategy.

About the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year

The contest, owned and produced by the South Australian Museum, is now in its 21st year. In 2024, 442 photographers from 12 countries submitted 1856 entries across ten categories. They all showcase the incredible wildlife and landscape of Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica, and New Guinea bioregions.

And the winners are…

Portelli was on a small 60-foot yacht when he took the winning image.

“There was one day where the weather was shifting between overcast and snowing. I sat and watched these whales bubble-netting for about six hours, but trying to capture that moment when they break the surface came down to persistence and timing.

Bubble-net feeding is a cooperative hunting strategy used by humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). As the whales surround a school of small fish, they make a team effort to disorient and corral the fish into a net of bubbles. One whale will sound a call, at which point they’ll all swim up, with opened mouths, to feed on the trapped fish.

It is widely believed that the whales developed this feeding method after they were hunted to near extinction, allowing as many of them as possible to feed in a short time.

This is Portelli’s second win at the competition. He also won the top prize in 2021 with an image of a cute leafy sea dragon. For his latest achievement, Portelli will receive a $10,000 cash prize and a holiday courtesy of Coral Expeditions.

Adelaide’s 14-year-old Maya Hughes triumphed in the Junior category with her image Elegance, capturing the delicate beauty of a pelican’s feathers.

In the Portfolio category, South Australia’s David Dahlenburg is the winner with his series Grotesque Beauty. This thought-provoking collection depicts tailings dams used by mining operations, highlighting the industry’s often-unseen environmental impact. The judges commended Dahlenburg’s series for addressing human impact and the disturbing beauty of these industrial landscapes.

A call to action through art

Both South Australian Museum CEO Dr. David Gaimster and Australian Geographic Group Picture Editor Nicky Catley emphasized the vital role nature photography plays in raising awareness about the environment. They highlighted the urgency of capturing our unique bioregion before biodiversity loss continues.

The winning images, along with those of runners-up and finalists, are on display at the South Australian Museum until November 3, 2024. Check out the rest of the category winners below, and for more information and a complete gallery, visit the South Australian Museum website.

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