Mike George’s photo of Woolgoolga kangaroo ‘howling’ short-listed for award

A stunning image of a ‘particularly cooperative’ model from the Mid North Coast has been shortlisted for a coveted prize. It’s easy to see why.

One of Woopi’s most famous residents has made it onto the national stage after striking a dramatic pose for a visiting photographer.

The kangaroos that frequent Woolgoolga headland are a popular subject for many visitors and Mike George is no different.

For the last 20 years the Wollongong photographer has been taking photos of the mob when he is in town visiting his mother, who he says has “a wall full of pictures of kangaroos” as a result.

'Howling at the moon': Wollongong photographer Mike George has been shortlisted in the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year award for his shot of a kangaroo under the full moon in Woolgoolga. Photo: Mike George

But his most recent effort may just be his best yet, with a photo titled ‘Howling at the moon’ short-listed in the animal portrait category of the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year competition.

Up on the headland to capture the moonrise, Mr George was wandering back when he spotted the mob and instantly thought if he could get into the right position he would “have the makings of a pretty cool shot”.

“I could see it in my mind straight away, but it was just the challenge of trying to get low enough to get one the kangaroos anywhere near the rising moon,” he said.

Lying on his belly in the grass, Mr George was able to get close enough to one model who just at the right moment decided to lift its head up and open its mouth ever so slightly.

Wollongong photographer Mike George often heads to the Woolgoolga headland to photograph its famous inhabitants. Photo: Mike George

“On this particular occasion that (kangaroo model) was particularly good and cooperative,” he said.

“You know when you are taking it, as you hit the shutter, it has the potential to be a cracker.

“It’s quite thrilling (to be short-listed), I have been following this competition for a number of years and just to be included in the depth and quality of images … is amazing,” he said.

The 2021 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year competition is a collection of the best photos of natural flora, fauna or land formations taken across Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica and New Guinea.

The competition received 2,206 photographs entered by 403 photographers from 17 countries this year.

For more information and to view the short-listed entries visit the South Australian Museum website.

To see more of Mike George’s work visit dragonphotography.net.au.