Noah Hayes, Solitude in the Sound (June theme: The Great Outdoors)

Bathed in the golden glow of a brooding Fiordland sky, this image captures a fleeting encounter with a great eastern egret—an exceptionally rare visitor to Milford Sound. The lone bird stands motionless in the still waters, perfectly mirrored beneath the shadowed peaks. Its ghostly white form, set against the dramatic silhouette of Mitre Peak, reflects not only a moment of peace in a wild and storm-shaped landscape, but a testament to the unpredictability and quiet magic of New Zealand’s most iconic fjord.

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.