With the highest vote, kangaroo “Courtship” wins our photo competition Michael Williams
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Courtship” is the winner of our best kangaroo photo competition. Behind the win are a pair of love stories. One story delves deep into a love of wildlife and the other is between a man and woman. Also learn about the upcoming World Kangaroo Day on October 24th
Male kangaroos are utterly focussed during courtship
Kangaroos courtship is often tender and gentle, especially if both parties are keen to take the next step. By hanging around near a male the female makes it clear she’s interested in forming a bond.
As you see in the featured photo, the male will sidle up to the female making a soft, continuous “chuck,chuck, chuck” sound (like clicking your tongue against the top of your mouth) that you won’t hear unless you’re close. Sometimes he’ll stand full height in front of her in a dramatic display of his maleness before settling back down.
Coyly, she’ll move away, pursued by the male, before she settles down again when he’ll move up behind her and stroke the tip of her tail. It’s quite touching to watch! This routine may be repeated many times before she eventually decides that he’s the one (or not!).
Throughout this courtship, which may go on for hours — or an entire day — the male appears oblivious to anything, his attention utterly focussed on her. It’s possible to walk right up to a male kangaroo while he’s engaged in this courtship…..but don’t get too close, he may see you as a threat and lash out.
Finding time for courtship in a harsh environment
But there’s much more to the winning photo — taken by Michael Williams in 2018 in Mungo National Park in Australia’s magnificent Outback.
It’s an extraordinary picture, not only for its subjects but also due to the very difficult light coming from behind the lovers. Somehow Michael managed to skilfully capture the shaded side of the kangaroos without over exposing the background.
Even the background tells a story of survival in a harsh environment — saltbush, stunted trees, dry grass and intense heat are the entirety of their lives. Yet in this desiccated landscape they somehow find time for gentle courtship.
There’s no doubt love is in the air
Michael’s photo encapsulates his deep love for all wild animals and wild places and that shows in many of his photos. His entire life’s work in photography was about helping people appreciate the astounding beauty of nature, something he achieved by magically choosing the perfect moment to press the shutter.
Any photographer will tell you, the technical side of the profession/hobby is difficult at the best of times, however “Courtship” shows Michael as an intuitive master at capturing the moment just as both animals lean in towards each other — there’s no doubt that love is in the air.
Speaking of love, there’s another side to this story, which is Michael’s love of his wife and partner. Sharon Williams enthusiastically supported Michael’s photographic odyssey until he was torn from her by cancer only eight months after “Courtship” was taken.
But Michael left behind a courtship with nature that lives on today. You, the people who chose “Courtship” out of 13 original images, are proof of that. You can see more of Michael’s work on his Facebook page which Sharon still posts in: It’s a Wildlife (NB: all photos are copyright and may not be used without permission)
How Kangaroo “Courtship” won
Thankyou to everyone involved in this project, especially the photographers who shared their photos with us. Hundreds of people from all over the world voted in both the first and second round of voting. For the record the final 3 photos were selected on a percentage of votes as follows:
The winner: “Courtship” 45% by Michael Williams (Australia) Featured photo
Followed by:
“Balance” 31% by Jeroen Wolfslag (Netherlands). We’d especially like to thank Jeroen for allowing us to use his amazing “Balance” photo in our customer support material over many years.
“Wary” 24% by Janine Duffy (Australia)
Get involved in World Kangaroo Day on October 24th
Kangaroos represent the zenith of marsupial evolution in Australia. They are part of the Macropod* family and truly remarkable creatures represented by at least 40 species in Australia with others in New Guinea. (*literally means “big foot).
Each year World Kangaroo Day celebrates all the Macropods and this year it will be on October 24th
All three of the finalist’s photos have been submitted to the World Kangaroo Day (WKD) photo competition. If any one of them wins the $1,000 prize it will be donated to the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). Note: all 3 photographers have agreed to this including Michael Williams through Sharon Williams.
You can vote for the photos in the WKD competition here.
October 24th is your opportunity to show your support for our wonderful kangaroo family.
Read more about Kangaroos
Echidna Walkabout : Kangaroo News
Best Places to See Kangaroos in the Wild : Australian Wildlife Journeys
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Step into the future of travel. Join one of our Conservation Travel tours. An increasing number of these tours include an important Citizen Science project.
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