Ningaloo turtle clearly special

The 2nd place image, by Nathan Wills, was taken on the Ningaloo Reef at Coral Bay in WA, while on a holiday with his fiance. Picture: Nathan Wills

A chance sighting of a turtle on Ningaloo Reef has won a Busselton amateur photographer second place in the Australian category of the Sony World Photography Awards.

Nathan Wills, 26, said yesterday he took the photo at a spot about 30 minutes north of Coral Bay, known to his family as Nanny's Lagoon, after his grandmother who used to live in the coastal town.

He had been waiting for his partner Jamie-Lee Marshman to put on her snorkelling gear when the turtle swam past.

"I just was chilling around in the water because I'd got ready pretty quick and was keen to get in the water, it was such a nice day," Mr Wills said.

Lake Louise, Canada. Picture: Michael Farnell

The category winner was Michael Farnell for his image of pine trees reflected in Lake Louise, Canada, at sunrise.