Interesting fact about the endangered eastern quoll — they glow under UV light, revealing hidden blue-green patterns. It’s thought that this is for communication or camouflage in nocturnal environments, but the exact purpose is still being researched. Quolls are night hunters, crucial to controlling pests like mice and insects, and they are known as risky scavengers, sometimes even stealing scraps from Tasmanian devils. Nikon D800 with Nikkor 105mm lens, ISO 160, f/3 at 1/320th of a second.

The green rosella is Tasmania’s largest parrot. It is often seen foraging on the ground for seeds, berries, and flowers, including the prickly blooms of thistles and other spiny plants. I photographed this guy on Maria Island, off the east coast of Tasmania. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 400, f/4 at 1/1600th of a second.

Keeping the mothers theme going, here’s a Bennett’s wallaby with her joey. This is a rare white morph of the Bennett’s wallaby found on Bruny Island in Tasmania, Australia. Another white wallaby with joey did make my 2026 wall calendar. Head on over the www.specieslimted.com to see which one. And to buy a calendar (or shirt), of course. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 350mm) ISO 1600, f/5.6 at 1/250th of a second.

The orange lichen found on the granite boulders of Binalong Bay in Tasmania’s Bay of Fires is one of the area’s most iconic features. The coloration comes from a species of lichen which thrives in the coastal environment thanks to its tolerance for salty air and strong sunlight. The lichen-covered rocks give the coastline a glowing, almost surreal appearance. Nikon D800 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 17mm) ISO 200, f/20 at 1/40th of a second.

The common wombat is a sturdy, nocturnal marsupial known for its powerful digging abilities. Using strong claws, it excavates complex burrow systems that can extend over 100 feet underground. These burrows provide shelter from extreme temperatures and predators, making them essential for survival. Uniquely, wombats have a backward-facing pouch to keep dirt from filling it while they dig. Nikon D800 with Sigma 15mm fisheye lens, ISO 800, f/7.1 at 1/1600th of a second.

The eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) is one of the largest and most common kangaroo species in Australia. Eastern greys are known for their powerful hind legs and graceful leaping ability that can cover over 25 feet in a single hop. I got the camera on the ground for this low-angle perspective in Narawntapu National Park, Tasmania. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 800, f/5 at 1/5000th of a second.

The golden brushtail possum is a color variant of the common brushtail possum. In other words, it’s just a common brushtail possum with a fancier name. And a cooler-looking coat. This was a captive individual photographed at a rehabilitation center in Tasmania. Like so many other of the mammals I photographed in Australia, brushtail possums are nocturnal marsupials. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 20mm) ISO 1600, f/2.8 at 1/2000th of a second.

Tasmanian devils are the world’s largest carnivorous marsupial. They once thrived throughout Australia, but are now confined to the island state of Tasmania. Their numbers have been plummeting due to the lethal facial tumor disease. There seems to be no stopping the disease, which is spread through social interaction when they nip and bite each other. Saving this iconic symbol of Tasmania might mean they have to first go extinct in the wild, before healthy populations, raised in quarantined areas, can be released to re-populate. Many captive breeding centers have sprung up throughout Tasmania and the southern Australia mainland. This devil was photographed at one of these centers adjacent to Cradle Mountain National Park. I also saw and photographed a few devils in the wild, where they are strictly nocturnal. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 2000, f/4 at 1/160th of a second.

The trick to photographing a blotched blue-tongued lizard is getting it with the tongue out. This is a rather large lizard found in south eastern Australia. I met this one at the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary in Tasmania. Nikon D800 with Nikkor 105mm macro lens, ISO 800, f/4.5 at 1/320th of a second.