Karen Stalker, Wings of Hope (ANIMALS 2026)

During a visit to Taronga Zoo Sydney in November 2025, I had the pleasure of attending the Free-Flight Bird Show. Sitting near a volunteer made the experience even more memorable as we watched these magnificent birds glide effortlessly overhead—so close you could truly appreciate their beauty and presence. The display beautifully highlighted the zoo’s conservation efforts through education and research. In particular, the presence of the Red-tailed Black Cockatoo made a strong impression. As a Western Australian, it was especially meaningful to see our endangered native birds being recognised on a national stage, with important conservation messages shared so effectively with a wider audience. It gave me a deep sense of pride, but also a renewed awareness of how important it is that we continue to protect them for future generations. Photographs taken on Canon EOS 600D.

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