It took David three years to locate this quoll – and another six months to take this photograph. He set up a camera trap where a fallen log bridged a stream, foregoing flash to minimise disturbance, then placed a scent bait to pause any passing quolls. His perseverance paid off when this hunting female scampered into view.
These shy creatures are ferocious predators. Almost a metre long from nose to tail, quolls can slice meat off the reptiles, birds and mammals they hunt with their strong teeth and muscles. Like all quoll species, the spotted-tailed quoll is threatened by habitat loss due to industrial logging and competition with introduced species.
Australia
In his youth David learnt to use a camera from his uncle, who worked as a newspaper photographer and editor, and would join the press team on assignments during holidays. Now retired from teaching in schools and university, David uses his images for environmental campaigning and education.
Mesmerising blood-sucking mosquito Highly Commended in the Behaviour: Invertebrates category of Wildlife Photographer of the Year 57.
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Community Care won the Photojournalist Story Award in the fifty-seventh Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. The images document the efforts of the Lwiro Chimpanzee rescue centre and sanctuary, which rehabilitates orphaned chimpanzees.
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A chilly scene of willow trees rising above a frozen lake in Italy.
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