Local photographer unveils ‘hidden’ marine life at Four Mile Beach

Sure, Four Mile Beach is stunning, but beneath the surface lies a hidden world of marine life. One local photographer captures stunning images of eagle rays, dugongs, and crocodiles with her drone, revealing the coast’s unseen wonders.

“You would never know if you were just walking by the beach but you can even spot green turtles, dugongs, dolphins, crocodiles, humpback whales ... Our marine life is so rich and just next door!”

To spot dugongs and crocodiles, she waits for calm, clear days. 

“I often see dugongs and crocodiles near the mangroves at the end of Four Mile Beach or by Rex Smeal Park. 

“For crocodiles you need a bit of luck as they can hold their breath for up to eight hours in the water, so always be croc wise.”

Josephine’s passion for photography started six years ago while being a tour guide in New Zealand. It was there she realised the power of her photos; helping people become more aware of endangered wildlife. 

“I took photos of endangered birds, and endangered marine mammals and I realised that my photos had an impact and I was able to make people aware of their environment. Photography became my way of sharing information.”

When she’s not photographing marine life, Josephine is in the rainforest of FNQ. As a tour guide, she spends her days exploring, always on the lookout for wildlife. 

“I have a passion for birds, and at the moment I love photographing the buff-breasted paradise kingfisher, which just arrived from Papua New Guinea to nest in our forests. 

Josephine Warnet flies her drone along Four Mile Beach almost daily.  “I love flying my drone along the coast of FNQ and 90 percent of the time I will spot eagle rays cruising very close to our beaches,” she said.