Jonathan Steinbeck, The Great Cormorant (ANIMALS 2026)

The Great Cormorant is Australia's largest cormorant species, and can be found in both fresh and saltwater. While their plumage is predominantly black, their face has some colouration, especially the yellow skin at the base of the beak. However, it is their emerald green eye that draws me in. Catching the sun hitting it, makes for a beautiful shot. These images show the Great Cormorant by the water, in the water and above the water. The swimming shot was at a time when the wind was gusting over 70kph but the cormorant was still going about its business. The flying cormorant was shot on an overcast day but the bird had a look of determination on its face. While the portrait shot, brings out the beauty of its green eye.

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.