Gabe Martins, Varanus mertensi and its humid habitat. (JUNIOR 2024)

A resident Mertens' water monitor (Varanus mertensi), photographed from a canoe in a shallow pond - in Darwin NT. These reptiles are fascinating to observe as they gracefully glide below the water, leaving just the slightest ripple.

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