Hunter Photography Prize 2019: A selection of entries

EYES ON THE PRIZE: Sadie the border collie demonstrating her obedience at Morpeth. Picture: Jacqui Neill

SHEPHERD'S WARNING: Bright colours and peace before the crowds arrive at Newcastle Ocean Baths. Picture: Suella Smith

LIGHTER SHADE OF GREY: The sun tries to push through morning dew. Picture: Adam Williams

LOCK IT IN: A day at the Bogey Hole. Picture: Sandra Schwager

BACK IN THE SWING: Watching from the backyard as the sun settles over Dungog. Picture: Lesa Kearney

BEHIND YOU: A magpie that regularly visits Honeysuckle apartments ignores the view of a departing cruise ship. Picture: Suella Smith

TIN CITY APOCALYPSE: Smoke from nearby bushfires billow over Stockton Bight's shanty town. Picture: Daniel Gilmour

BREAK A LEG: A ballerina at the end of Nobbys breakwall as a storm closes in. Picture: Emily Stoddart

TIME TO TAKE OFF: My sister Chloe as she is chasing a flock of seagulls. Picture: Amber Collard

GOOD BOY: Archie enjoys a summer afternoon at Birubi beach. Picture: Lauren Sparke

FROTHING: A jubilant surfer finishes a ride at Catherine Hill Bay. Picture: Andrew Vezos

EARLY DIP: Looking out over Jerrys Plains to start the day. Picture: Alexandria Gardner

MORNING RITUAL: One of my favourite places on our gorgeous coastline and I enjoy being there for many sunrises but this day I decided to turn the camera the other way. Picture: Terina Vale

MAKING IT RAIN: Blake, 10, and Jett, 6, cool off at Tanilba Bay. Picture: Lisa Mullins

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN: The former Queens Wharf tower standing defiantly against the orange sky. Picture: Shane Blue

LOOKS LIKE HOME TO ME: Coral makes the most of her patriotic sunglasses at Shoal Bay. Picture: Nicole Kearney

AIRBORNE: Our daughter and her cousin set up a sprinkler under the trampoline to keep cool. Picture: Louise Faulkner

WHITE WATER: A surfer contemplates the waves at Merewether. Picture: Karissa Lewis

DOGGED: German short-haired pointer and rescue dog Finnegan explores the lake. Picture: Lyn Snow

KEEP TRUCKING: This photo is of my dad and his all-original 1928 Dodge pick-up. Picture: Robecca Thompson

LURKING IN THE DARK: This image of an evening predator was captured at Valentine. Picture: Ted Elks

EYE-CATCHING COLOUR: Fishing with my little brother at Blacksmiths Beach. Picture: Daniel Bryant

STICKING TOGETHER: Children Billy and Coral at the water's edge at Salamander Bay. Picture: Nicole Kearney

NOODLING AROUND: Taken in our pool at Easter of friends visiting us. Picture: Mel Gray

Holding the Future: My father sorting clover seeds from the husks. Photo: Elly Jade Gorton, Hamilton South

MOODY: Mist over Surfhouse Merewether. Photo: Jennifer Brooks, Valentine

Clydesdale Bookends: Keeping an eye on things. Photo: Susan Vernon, Mount View

Helping Hand: This was taken at the RAW Challenge held at Doyalson. A friend helps a competitor climb an obstacle. Photo: David Whyte, Brightwaters

Helping Hand: This was taken at the RAW Challenge held at Doyalson. A friend helps a competitor climb an obstacle. Photo: David Whyte, Brightwaters

I’d bend over backwards for you: Is this pelican yoga? Photo: Fiona Mitchell, Tenambit

Horsing around: My son, Xavier, with my late father's horse, Snowball. Shot taken by my niece. Photo: Tylana Cox, Sandy Hollow

Look which way?: My eight grandchildren getting together with their cousin who lives in Singleton. A walk down to the Hunter River is a regular adventure. Photo: Kamma Christiansen, Cardiff

Brothers: Taken on Christmas Day 2018. Photo: Alice Zammit, Medowie

The Viking Before Battle: A participant in the Fire and Steel Dark Ages Re-enactment Group. Photo: Matt Alexander, Eleebana

A Rainbow Is A Promise: A rainbow bursts from the clouds on the drive home from Stroud. Photo: Elly Jade Gorton, Hamilton South

Little Jacks Creek, Willow Tree: The last time the creek actually flowed with water. Photo: Dennis Young, Wallsend

Early Watering: Captured at King Edward Park. Photo: Janice Bisson, Maryville

HOW YAH GOING?: I was working in the back yard when this green frog popped his head up for a selfie. Photo: Jason Gilmour, Raymond Terrace

Pensive Pelican: Photograph taken at Tea Gardens. Photo: Nicki Bollinger, Medowie

Upside down dog: Another view. Photo: Lesa Kearney, Dungog

Thanks Mum: Swan with cygnets taken on Kooragang Island. Photo: Diane Schofield , New Lambton Heights.

Sunset Haze: Photo taken from Bar Beach car park. Photo: Jenny Bone, Whitebridge

To the Moon and Back: Pelicans at Tea Gardens. Blue skies against a waning moon. Photo: Fiona Mitchel, Tenambit

HAPPY DAYS: My son, Reign, at Foreshore Park in Newcastle. Photo: Demi Stewart, Raymond Terrace.

Pole Cats on Storm Watch: Our two Mandalay kittens, Dexter Dean and Floyd Ludie, in the backyard. Photo: Shirley Martin, Millfield

Perspective: This photograph was taken at the ocean baths. Photo: Jeremy Partridge, Edgeworth

Opportunities await: Spencer, 5, and Oliver, 3, scoping out their options on a family holiday to Fingal Bay Beach. Photo: Amy Shaw, East Maitland

Havoc: Wild storm photographed from my home in Girvan, NSW. Photo: Andrea Evans, Girvan

Misty Morning: Among the vines. Shot taken at Pokolbin. Photo: Liz Riley, Nulkaba

Let’s buy a trampoline...for the kids: Husband bouncing, Christmas Day 2018. Photo: Amy Thunig, Lake Macquarie

Sunset at Swansea: Beautiful scene shot from the boat ramp. Photo: Lynne Brunner, Marks Point

A Master at Work: As the saying goes, 'no hoof no horse'. Taken at Sledmere Stud, Scone. Photo: Rachel Stewart, Scone

Where are the fish at?: Taken on the Hunter River during the Twin Rivers Fishing Competition. Photo: Shaylayne Warby, Medowie

YAWNING KELPIE: Dani is a very tired puppy after a morning play. Photo: Jayden O'Brien, Belford

Carving up the river: Photograph captured at Berry Park. Photo: Liz Riley, Nulkaba

Perfect: Beautiful sunrise over Moon Island. Photo: Donna James, Blacksmiths

TAKE A SEAT: Shoal Bay at sunset. Photo: Stephen Keating, Corlette

Eye of the Galah: A shot of a female galah, one of many that visit our farm every day. Photo: Eleanor Lennard, Mount View

SCHOOL’S OUT: My son, Marshall, cooling off at Newcastle beach. Photo: Maggie Kellehear, Warners Bay

Memories: My partner and his son fishing in a serene scene. Photo: Mary-Ann Bastow, Kurri Kurri

IT'S BEHIND YOU!: Layla Reynolds at Lake Macquarie Yacht Club. Photo: Adam Reynolds, Belmont

Cousins: These four cousins were excited to see an entire street of Jacaranda trees in bloom in Raymond Terrace. Photo: Shri Adigopula, East Maitland

Sunset over Lake Macquarie: Photo: Dianna Farley, Medowie

CAT-uring the morning rays: Our new kitten Missy catches some sun in a pot of catgrass. Photo: Julie Fleming, Waratah

AFTER THE FIRE: The aftermath of bushfires in Port Stephens. Photo: Demi Stewart, Raymond Terrace

Textures: A visiting Tai Chi master experiences the energy of the Bogey Hole. Photo: Amanda Heidke, Merewether Heights

Damon: This photo was taken at Redhead Beach during a memorial paddle out for Damon Daley. This photo shows two of his younger cousins playing on the sand while older family and friends take part in the paddle out. Photo: Nadia Nutland, Aberglasslyn

MESSY EATER: Giddy the Goanna has been visiting our farm at Mount View for over 18 years. This is his face after finishing his breakfast. Photo: Eleanor Lennard, Mount View

Happy Family Dog: Our dog, Cass, playing with a ball with our grandson Tom. Photo: John Richardson, Raymond Terrace

Willy-wagtail chicks: Taken on Boxing Day at my aunty's farm in Lostock. Photo: Ella Sales, East Branxton.

EMERGING: A cicada ready to make some noise. Photo: Ian English, Kilaben Bay

Vivid sunrise: Taken at the ocean baths, one of Newcastle's finest locations. Photo: Steven Algie, Rutherford

A Child’s Happiness: My young cousin playing on the swings in Dungog. Photo: Aithyn Grove, Dungog

FIRST FEED: A calf having his first drink of milk. It was taken on our farm at Mount View. Photo: Eleanor Lennard, Mount View

A Reel Nice Day: A still and quiet moment between catches. Taken at Stockton break wall. Photo: Courtney Rohrich, Muswellbrook

SIBLINGS: This image depicts sibling love and the inquisitive nature of children. Shot at Muscle Creek, Muswellbrook. Photo: Michelle Oldham, Muswellbrook

WIDE EYED: Beach as far as the eye can see, Stockton Beach. Photo: Christine Bokodi, Anna Bay

A PERFECT PAIR: Two double barred finches in my friend's backyard at Clarence Town. Photo: Shelby Mcintosh, Middle Falbrook

On the Boil: An unusual and colourful cloud formation captured at Millfield. Photo: Shirley Martin, Millfield

Ladies Bathing Pool: Turquoise rockpools at Nobbys Beach looking towards lighthouse. Photo: Fiona Mitchel, Tenambit

SURF'S UP: Temp was getting up in the new shed, so we downed tools and took off to Catho. Photo: Steve Adams, Wangi Wangi

Rainbow Magic: Taken at Bar Beach just before sunset. Photo: Sharnee O'Rourke, Jesmond

Get that so and so: Ride-on outta here ... or else. Photo: Col Maybury, Kurri Kurri.

COASTAL WALK: In Fingal Bay searching for whales and dolphins. Photo: Robert Arthur, Charlestown

DAD'S DRAWING: My dad drawing a picture for my little sister. Photo: Kiara Partridge, Holmesville

Let it snow: Capturing the delight and bewilderment of children in the ‘snow’ atop Kotara Westfield. Photo: Chris Webb, Merewether .

Tin City: I took this image at Stockton Beach while out teaching a friend to photograph the night sky. The Milk Way arches over the shack and the moon shines bright. The lights of Newcastle glow on the horizon. Photo: Daniel Haynes, Raymond Terrace

Go in the water, it'll be fun they said!: My daughter's first dunk by a wave at Caves Beach. Photo: Kassandra Lowe, Windale

Fishing is NOT dangerous: My husband Bruce and his mate Col fishing at Susan Gilmore beach. Photo: Amanda Prigg, Adamstown

Colours at Sunrise: The sun making its way over the horizon at Lake Macquarie near Boolaroo. Photo: Kris Parsons, Glendale

Storm Clouds: Taken at Glendonbrook in the Singleton Shire. Photo: Sue Donohue, Tea Gardens

Nobbys Fly Past: A seagull on the wing with Nobbys in the background. Photo: Diane Schofield, New Lambton Heights.

Tranquil Twilight: Sunset reflections at Nelson Bay Marina. Photo: Ganiele Maxwell, Cameron Park

Tiny Toes: My niece, so tiny and innocent. Her feet yet to walk a million miles. Photo: Courtney Rohrich, Muswellbrook

Catching Rainbows: "We took our daughter to the snow show on the Rooftop at Westfield Kotara on Christmas Eve. In 80 per cent of our photos there were rainbows. My two-year-old daughter is named after her late Great Nanna, Alice. We think her presence may have been here. Photo: Kristy Boyle, Valentine

Holiday Fun: Two brothers on their first day of holidays water the garden in a unique way. Photo: Heidi Lindgren, Merewether

Juvenile Tawny Frogmouth: A master of camouflage sitting in a fig tree at Morpeth. Photo: Trevor Cotterill, East Maitland

Commitment: A lightning storm won't stop this swimmer from doing his laps at Newcastle Ocean Baths. Photo: Krystal McKinley, Cardiff

Learning New Skills: Boxing Day morning on Newcastle Beach, hooping and enjoying the sunrise. Photo: Jaki Shipp, West Wallsend

Camellias: The blooming of camellias is one of my highlights of August. Photo: Priya Gibson, Cooks Hill

COLOUR WAVE: A moody scene on the beach awash with muted tones. Photo: Justin Martin, Stockton

CAR FIRE: Crew members from Fire and Rescue NSW, Muswellbrook, at work. Photo: Lisa Morgan, Muswellbrook

FULL OF LIFE: Riley, 5, on a perfect morning spent with his family using the kayak and stand-up paddle board. Photo: Ricky Reynolds, Tanilba Bay

THE OCEAN: Though there be fury on the waves, Beneath them there is none. Photo: Jack O'Rourke

F-35 Welcome: F-35 Joint Strike Fighters fly over Newcastle on their way to Williamtown. Photo: Richard Hogan, Elermore Vale

BIG RIDE: A lone surfer takes on a big wave at Nobbys Beach. Photo: Ganiele Maxwell, Cameron Park

Sand, Sun, Salt, Sun, Summer: Taken at Little Beach, Port Stephens. Photo: Darren Furner, Beresfield

Surfing Dolphins: Taken at Mungo Brush Beach in the Myall Lakes National Park. Photo: Bob Bush, Tea Gardens

VALLEY VISTA: A lush view over Pokolbin after a storm. Photo: Kyra Austin, Cessnock

Coming Home: Approaching Williamtown airport after a family holiday. Photo: Allie Martinelli, Belmont North

Native Love: A pair of beautiful birds just moments before kissing. Photo: Aithyn Grove, Dungog

Salt Ash Fire 2018: Firefighters against an intense wall of flames. Photo: Michael Fisher, East Maitland

Stella Naomi leaves Newcastle Harbour: Photo taken on board a tug. Photo: Alan Hamilton, Hamilton East

Dungog Rumble: Three blokes and bike on the road to where? Photo: John Buck, Ashtonfield

Kooragang Industry: Heavy industry against a sunset. Photo: Richard Hogan, Elermore Vale

Weaning time: Sometimes the babies can get a little frisky when being handled for the first time. Photo: Colleen Adams, Baerami

Look! Up in the sky! It’s...: The ubiquitous Newy hang glider, in full flight. Photo: Sandra Kempe, Newcastle East

Cotton Harlequin Bug: A female guarding her eggs at Hunter Wetlands. Photo: Linda Bostelaar, North Blackalls Park

Pump-house Sunrise: Early sunrise shot taken at Merewether Baths. Photo: Samuel Ward, Broadmeadow

END OF DAY: Evening shot at Newcastle's Bogey Hole. Photo: Kayla Currey, Cameron Park

Fun in the Sun: Perfect sunny day for making our mark on Stockton Beach. Photo: Darren Waller, Birmingham Gardens

Sunset at Fox's Store: The sun sets behind Fox's Store and Medical Museum at Murrurundi. Photo: Kim Cummins, Scone

PELICAN PERCH: Taken on a windy day at Stockton. Photo: Kaila Adams, Wallsend

AM I IN THE SEA OR SKY?: A massive kite captured in full flight above Caves Beach park. Photo: Petra Pendlebury, Valentine

Foggy beauty: Taken on a Saturday morning walk in “The Sanctuary” Fletcher before sunrise. Photo: Kaila Adams, Wallsend.

STORM CLOUDS: At Singleton sun dial looking over the netball courts and Rose Point park. Photo: Samantha George, Singleton

Redhead Beach: Beautiful colours taken from above using a DJI Mavic Pro. Photo: Bryce Garrett, The Junction

DAWN BREAKS: Scene captured at Nobbys Beach on Anzac Day. Photo: Elizabeth Smith, Medowie

AT SUNRISE: A colourful spray of water against the rocks. Photo: Emily Stoddart, Maryland

Under the Sea: This amazing shot was taken at Dixon Park beach looking towards Merewether. Photo: Caine Miller, Merewether

BEACH ADVENTURE: Stockton Beach, on an afternoon adventure with the kids. Photo: Matthew Grecian, Anna Bay

Golden Hour: A warm, golden sunset glow kissing Warners Bay horizon. Photo: Krystal McKinley, Cardiff

Sygna: The shipwreck of the Sygna before she disappeared. Photo: Elizabeth Smith, Medowie

LITTLE BEAUTY: Opodiphthera astrophela. Photo: Penelope Selden, Glen Oak

OH YEAH?: This inquisitive and colourful little fellow was snapped at Blackbutt Reserve. Photo: Nicole Clark, Bonnells Bay

Nobbys Sea Mist: Showcases Newcastle’s natural and man made assets all in one. Photo: Dylan Mitchell, Valentine

MEREWETHER LIFE: Recalling my childhood walking along the pipe and searching rock pools. Photo: Daniel Haynes, Raymond Terrace

Reflections of an icon: A reflected view of the Merewether Baths Pavilion in the early morning. Photo: Mark Shaw, Merewether

FOOTPRINTS HOME: My two young daughters walking along Nobbys Beach. Photo: Melissa Martin, Cardiff

A moment with ‘Master A’: Every summer my family and I spend our Sundays at Naru, Marks Point. Photo: Kiera Jarrett, Cardiff

Brothers at the beach: A magic moment caught just in time. Photo: Penelope Selden, Glen Oak

Summer Storm : A storm cell rolling towards Newcastle beach. October 2018. Photo: James Meijnderts, Mayfield.

HANGING WITH HARLEY: Harley the beloved farm dog relaxing under the double rainbow. Photo: Jessica Campbell, Scone

FUN AT REDHEAD: There is so much entertainment at the 'dog area' of Redhead Beach. Photo: Dianne English, Kilaben Bay

GREEN FROG: On a rainy morning at Woodlands Stud, Denman. Photo: Kylie Mills, Scone

SHEARER: Landscapes and the way of the land. Photo: Julie Brown, Rouchel

SOLE SURFER: Just a surfer and an ocean full of unclaimed waves. Taken at Newcastle Beach. Photo: Krystal McKinley, Cardiff

FIVE FOGGY BOATS: Taken at Lemon Tree Passage, Tilligerry Creek on a misty morning. Photo: Michael Howard, Lemon Tree Passage

CHRISTMAS CHEER: First day of December 2018 with my little girl and partner. Photo: Hayley Matts, Muswellbrook

BEACH COLOURS: Amazing colours captured on Stockton Beach. Photo: Matt Rolston, Stockton

THE BLOCKS: Newcastle Ocean Baths on a cold and very choppy day. Photo: Tim Smith, Rutherford

Country Life: My little boy Mason, who is obsessed with horses, at Guntawang Stud in Gulgong. Photo: Sharni Bridge, Cessnock

HAVING A BREAK: My husband with one of our cows. Taken at Mount View. Photo: Susan Vernon, Mount View

Stockton Dunes: This shot was worth the effort of walking over 7km across the dunes carrying camera gear. Photo: Dianne English, Kilaben Bay

MORNING COLOURS: Taken at Pokolbin in the Hunter Valley. Photo: Chris Warren, Glendale.

THREE MATES: Mates enjoy mucking around as one takes a forward dive into Merewether Baths. Photo: Kevin Parsons, Keinbah

Kooka Whisperer: Steve listening to the laughing capers of a regular visitor. Photo: Oonagh Treble, Corlette

Lightning Swim, Bar Beach: Shot during an afternoon swim. "A storm was rolling over and the wind completely died off, leaving the ocean like a sheet of glass. To the north there was a storm producing amazing bolts of lightning. Right place, right time". Photo: Matthew Mollison, Newcastle West

SNACK TIME: Praying mantis feeding on a mud wasp. Photo: Penelope Selden, Glen Oak

BIRUBI BEACH: Smoke against the sun. Photo: Sharna Guion, Bolwarra Heights

BONNELLS BAY: Stormy but beautiful. Photo: Warren Dolton, Windermere Park.

Surf's Up!: This image shows how much the locals love surfing at Newcastle's beautiful beaches. Photo: Sharnee O'Rourke, Jesmond

Thunderclouds: Photographed at Bonnells Bay. Photo: Nicole Clark, Bonnells Bay

PERFECT PERCH: Some of the inhabitants at the Hunter Wetlands Centre strike a pose. Photo: Susan Slack, Mount Hutton

Sunset, The Cliff: The cloud and light come together to produce an amazing glow. Photo: Matthew Mollison, Newcastle West

A Day in the Park: My son enjoying Maitland Park. Photo: Jocelin Grech, Horseshoe Bend

Waves of an Angel: "I was taking photos at Boat Harbour and this one looked like an angel was walking out of the ocean". Photo: Tracy Rigby, Corlette

Morning storms: Merewether baths with offshore storms. Photo: Mark Shaw, Merewether

Good Morning 2018: Taken at Merewether Baths on new year's morning 2018. Photo: Julia King, New Lambton

IT WORKS: "Testing out the water resistance of my iPhone at Bar Beach". Photo: Perry Gould, Hamilton East

Hands From Heaven: Lightning storm photographed from my home in Girvan. Photo: Andrea Evans, Girvan

WINTER SUNRISE: Sunrise from inside a sea cave at Caves Beach. Photo: Steven Algie, Rutherford

You had me at Merlot: Lake’s Folly assistant winemaker hand-plunging a vat of Merlot. Photo: Sandra Kempe, Newcastle East

BREAKWALL: Newcastle's imposing breakwall lighthouse. Photo: Kayla Currey, Cameron Park

The lily and bee: A busy little worker caught in action. Photo: Susan Slack, Mount Hutton

Seal Rocks: A seal down on the rocks with Nobbys in the background. Photo: Martin Sully, New Lambton Heights

Merewether Baths: Peaceful scene just as the sun was rising. Photo: Bryce Garrett, The Junction

Susan Gilmore beach: Sunset, vivid sky and the ocean. Photo: Oksana Stepanova, Wallsend

Dip your toe in: Stepping into the water on a cold morning at the Cowrie Hole. Photo: Martin Sully, New Lambton Heights

The strike: Lightning on the ridge looking towards Cessnock from Gillieston Heights. Photo: Krista Lee Rayson, Gillieston Heights

Peacock in the tree: Taken at Blackbutt Reserve. Photo: Natalieann Lee, Maryland

Puddles on a rainy day: Birds enjoying the puddles after a rainy day in Scone. Photo: Bev Wilson, Scone.

Evening Temper: Storm cell at sea after a day of weather havoc throughout NSW. Photo: Richard Hogan, Elermore Vale

Stella Naomi China Girl: Taken with an old Sony digital pocket camera on Newcastle Harbour. Photo: Alan Hamilton, Hamilton East

NATURAL HIGH: Stumbling upon this lovely uplifting scene of a woman feeding pelicans. Photo: Julia Love, Charlestown

Happy Crab: Sister Alix picked up this little crab who was happy to pose for a picture at Redhead Beach. Photo: Zoe Cooksey, Eleebana

THE OLD TREE: Taken on our property at McCullys Gap, in Muswellbrook. Photo: Lyn Richards, Muswellbrook

BEACH NAP: My son sleeping on the beach at Hawks Nest. Photo: Toni Carroll, Greta

Improvised Fountain:My grandchildren, Eden and Lucas, in our back yard at Charlestown. Photo: Janice Fernance, Charlestown

SURF BROS: My sons surfing together at Merewether beach. Photo: Karissa Lewis, New Lambton