Come spring, not far from my back door, a diverse and fragile world of flora and fauna comes to live. Though I have wandered through this bush for years, it is only recently, with camera in hand, that I have discovered its intricate beauty and plethora of creatures.
I hope those who meander through these pages will smell the aroma of the bush, hear the cacophony of its inhabitants and admire its great diversity. Wildflowers are exquisite of course, but seed pods are quirky, and ageing leaves, bark and flower heads make the most amazing patterns as they dance in the morning and evening light.
The book, Wild About the Natives is a photographic diary as opposed to a botanical reference guide. I have, in most cases, identified the plants and creatures by their common local name followed by the scientific. This should make it easier to put names to faces when out exploring. Personally, I struggle to say Glischrocaryon aureum when Common Popflower just rolls off the tongue.
The following images captured in Glen Forrest, Darlington, Kings Park, the Murchison and Cape Naturaliste region of Western Australia. May they inspire you to recreate and visualise your very own narrative of the Australian landscape.
Beth Baker
AWARDS
2024
Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year Winner-Monochrome category.
Winner of the Seeing with the Minds Eye category in the Lions Eye Institute Eye to Eye Photographic Competition.
Head On Photo Festival – Invited Open Exhibitor.
Subiaco Photographic Awards-Highly commended.
2023
Winner of the City Of Subiaco Photographic Awards-Mobile Phone category.
Australian Photography Magazine’s front cover and feature article on the Wonders of Wildflower Photography-April/May edition.
2022
The overall winner of the City Of Subiaco Photographic Awards
First Place in the Mt. Barker wildflower competition: Single bloom category
First Place in the Shire of Mundaring’s photographic awards.
Winner of the ‘Time-out’ category in Australian Photography Magazine’s Summer challenge with another in the top 10.
2021
Second Place in the Jirdabup Bushland Photographic Competition
First and Third Place in the Mt. Barker Wildflower competition
Finalist in the Australian Photography Mono Awards-Top 40, Portrait.
Finalist in the City of Subiaco Photographic Awards
Semifinalist in the AIPP Silver Lining Awards-Portrait category
Semifinalist in the AIPP Silver Lining Awards- Places category
Finalist in the AIPP Silver Lining Awards-Home category
Finalist in the AIPP Silver Lining Awards-Away category
Finalist in the AIPP Silver Lining Awards-Away category
Finalist x2 in the Urban Landscape Photography Awards
2020
Finalist in the Australian Photography Mono Awards-Top 10 Environment
Finalist in the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the year-Botanical category.
First Place in the nature section of Mt Barker’s photographic awards
Peoples choice winner in Mt Barker’s photographic awards
Winner in the Kings Park and Botanical Garden Flowers in Focus competition.
2019
Finalist in the City of Subiaco photographic competition
Mt Barker Wildflower Competition
First in Nature, third in a single bloom
Australian Photography Inaugural Mono Awards
Fifth Place in the Places category
Kings Park and Botanical Garden Flowers in Focus Competition
1st Place and another 2 in the top ten.
Mundaring Arts Centre: What on Earth, Plants and Pollinators photography competition
First Place
AIPP Australian Professional Photography Awards
1 x Silver Distinction Landscape
2 x Silver Landscape
1x Silver Illustrative
AIPP WA Epson Australian Professional Photography Awards
1 x Gold: Landscape category
3 x Silver Landscape
1 x Silver Distinction: Nature category
2 x Silver: Nature category
2x Silver: Travel category
2 x Silver: Illustrative category
2018
AIPP WA Epson Australian Professional Photography Awards
1 x Gold: Pet and Animal category
3 x Silver: Illustrative category
AIPP Australian Professional Photography Awards
1 x Silver: Pet and Animal category
1 x Silver: Illustrative category
Austraflora wildflower calendar competition
First Prize
2017
AIPP WA Epson Australian Professional Photography Awards
2 x Silver: Illustrative category
AIPP Australian Professional Photography Awards
2 x Silver: Illustrative category
Mt. Barker Wildflower Competition
1st, 2nd and 3rd Place in the single bloom category
2nd and 3rd Place in the multi-bloom category
2016
AIPP WA Epson Australian Professional Photography Awards
2 x Silver: Illustrative
AIPP Australian Professional Photography Awards
2 x Silver: Illustrative category