Snapping Handbags

crocbait — Tue, 8 Nov 2011 15:08:00 GMT

While traveling thoughout Cape York Penisula in Australia, you have to be wary of the very large snapping handbags that patrol the waters. During an early morning walk along the banks of the Normanby River in Lakefield National park, I was brought out of my morning dreary haze and snapped to fully awake in an instant by this rather large crocodile that thought i would make a good breakfast. Unluckily for him, he picked the wrong little black duck, I just side steped him, lifted the camera and snapped this pic before he slipped back down into the water to wait for the next unsuspecting walker to come past.

My Photo scholarship 2011 entry

crocbait — Tue, 8 Nov 2011 13:21:41 GMT

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself, My name is Steve Turnbull. I am a 36 yr old Australian that works as a Cape York 4wd Safari Guide and Reptile handler. I purchased my first DSLR camera about 5yrs ago and since then, it has taken over most of my spare time aswell as time at work. Luckily for me as a Safari guide i get alot of opportunities to take photos as I am taking my tourist around and explaining the wonders of the amazing flora and fauna, along with the cultural heritage of this captivating area. This is normal during the middle of the day when only "Mad dogs and Englishmen" are active, due to the fact that the sun is beating down like Ringo Star in a Beatles concert. Most animals in this area are nocturnal and all the others are only active at night, so during the day with a bus load of tourist, you dont really see alot. I have found though that the best time to witness the true beauty of this region is brief window of light before the sun breaks over the horizon. A time when the natural world is just stiring for another day but also the time when the tourists are still checking thier eye lids for cracks. Its is a time when the birds are grooming and washing thier feathers, before heading off to the feeding grounds before the sun has an opportunity to heat the ground and turn the Cape into a furnace. I have a great passion for photography and wildlife. I dearly wish to take my passion further and became a professional wildlife photographer. With my years of experience in the wildlife industry and growing up in the Australian bush gives me the ability to predict animal behaviour and movement, which helps me to get close to my subject and capture it in its natural form. I hope that you enjoy my pictures of "Daybreak in Cape York". Regards, Steve Turnbull