Up close with an Australian icon. The Redback Spider (Latrodectus hasselti), feared by early settlers, was historically responsible for 12 deaths . An antivenom has been available since 1956, and there have been no deaths directly due to redback bites since its introduction. The female spider, as seen in this shot, is much larger then its male counterpart and has the distinctive red stripe on its abdomen. The female 'digests' the male during a successful mating process, which seems to be unique to Latrodectus hasselti. Females reach around 1 cm in size while males are 3-4 mm when mature. Shot was taken with a 100mm macro lens. NSW, Australia
A classic perspective on Liffey Falls. Fortunately it was raining lightly when I took this shot which is why there is such soft even light in the forest. Liffey Falls is nestled within cool temperate rainforest on the slopes of the Great Western Tiers and forms part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Tasmania, Australia
The Aurora Australis or Southern Lights shimmering over the Great Lake of Tasmania's Central Plateau which resides at an elevation of 1,036 m (3,398 feet). Tasmania, Australia
