Donna Crebbin’s photo Revered, taken during a blizzard in New South Wales’ Snowy Mountains, has been shortlisted for the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year ‘animal behaviour’ section.

She said the shot of the slightly-wounded Brumby walking towards her was captured while her camera’s viewfinder was frozen, along with her fingers. 

“In situations like that you’ve got snow coming down on top of you, you’re freezing cold, and you’re trying to focus with numb fingers,” she said.

“But it’s about the moment, being there, and just watching how hardy the Brumbies are.

“It’s also made me braver, I think, I used to love those places but I was always a little bit too scared to do much on my own … but now I know, ‘yes I can do it.’ It’s personal growth.” 

Crebbin’s photo will be exhibited in late August alongside the 11 other shortlisted entries at Adelaide’s South Australian Museum and Sydney’s Australian Museum.