Picture perfect: Explore the Hunter through the eyes of backyard photographers

Surfs up. Helen Singleton, Warners Bay

Christmas day cracker. Chez Boldery, Kurri Kurri

Tides of Chaos and awe. Brooke Searles, Charlestown

Old Timber Mill at Pitnacree. Frank Loveridge, Pitnacree

Recovery poolside. Sandy Tumbers, Paterson

Early morning reflections. Miriam Lewis, Wallalong

History interned. Myles Egan, Singleton

This banana is delicious. Ady Smith, Belmont North

Winter solstice sunrise, Ross Kerridge, Newcastle

The Cream of Catho. Ana Batterham, Catherine Hill Bay

Newcastle Town Lights. Mandie Rodgers, Cooks Hill

Alfie contemplative. Sarah Butler, Ellalong

Summer backyard visitor. Lynette Hutchings, Cardiff

Vitamin D loading. Joe Ruiz, Raymond Terrace

Dont forget to smell the roses. Deb Smith, Merewether

Dust delights in the golden hour of fetch. Brooke Searles, Charlestown

Boys just being boys. Helen Singleton, Warners Bay

Seagull at sunset. Deb Smith, Merewether

Sweet surprise Elisha Whitburn, Butterwick

Where are we going today. Sandy Tumbers, Paterson

You beauty. Natalie Williams, Hamilton North

Bring on 2024. Anton Graham, Newcastle

Cousins' mermaid holiday braids. Elise Skillen. Charlestown

No ornaments in here. Roger Black, Bolton Point

Getting ready. Michela Ciulla, Newcastle

Beautiful Jimmy's Beach. Jennifer Bailey, Hamilton South

Merewether Christmas lights. Darren Archer, Merewether

Dog in the window. Gary Bruce, Swansea

Summer Afternoons at Redhead Beach. Kim Morley, Redhead

Happy fisherman. Pamela Parsons, Adamstown

Winmark Wines at Broke. Liz Riley, Nulkaba

Foiling around. Chris Smith, Stockton

Star struck. Shane Wallwork, Gwandalan

Newcastle Bath Views. Mandie Rodgers, Cooks Hill

Top Gun. Chris Smith, Stockton

Dinosaur daydream. Annette McEwan, Belmont North

Sharing a joke. David Williams, Vacy

Full Moon Over Lemon Tree Passage. Phillip Grainger, Lemon Tree Passage

Snail's pace. Caine Miller, Merewether

The Grannies Pool. Ana Batterham, Catherine Hill Bay

Dusk. Michela Ciulla, Newcastle

Bird life. Chris Smith, Stockton

Nature’s Jewels. Allen Davies, Adamstown Heights

How's the Serenity. Myles Egan, Singleton

Direct hit. Peter Abery, The Hill

Go ahead. Rob O'Brien, Whitebridge

Heavy clouds, no rain. Michela Ciulla, Newcastle

Egret Mating Display Regalia. Trevor J Cotterill, East Maitland

Nobbys sunrise. Nicole Sternbeck, Maryville

Summersault. Michela Ciulla, Newcastle

Early bird. Matthew Kilkeary, New Lambton

Mereweather surf. Matthew Kilkeary, New Lambton

Finishing touches. Deanne Morris, Valentine

Me and me mates. Margaret Coan, Merewether.

Rearview. Andrew Pile, Edgeworth

Those aren't rain clouds. Ken Beatty, New Lambton Heights

Wine Country. Katrina Buckley, Speers Point

Newcastle: an industrial storm. Rachael Stewart, Warners Bay

Golden glow. Chris Lochrin, Adamstown

Kooragang sunrise. Donna Buchanan, Largs

Only in Newcastle. Matthew Kilkeary, New Lambton

Fishing fun. Margaret Coan, Merewether

Wizard of Oz. Amanda Playford, Greta

Cracking time. Phil Clarkson, Merewether

Santa owning the sand. Simon Hunt, Charlestown

Trails in the sand. Tracey O'Brien, Whitebridge

Early morning golfers, Iain Pattie, Belmont

The view from Fort Scratchley. Jennifer Bailey, Hamilton South

Catnap. Donna Buchanan, Largs

Rainbow in my wine. Lorraine McKenzie, Belmont North

New Wind Vane. Luke Maddison, Kahibah

Safe. Tina Anderson, Weston

Bubbling away. Tracey O'Brien, Whitebridge

Breakwall waves. Nicole Sternbeck, Maryville

Galah in the pole. Sarah Lewis, Pokolbin

See shells. Irene Cooper, Stockton

Last splash. Andrew Pile, Edgeworth

Baby Blue. Donna Buchanan, Largs

Sticking around. Ted Elks, Valentine

Eastern Spinebill. Trevor Cotterill, East Maitland

Harbour cruise. Chris Pitt, Stockton

Stockton Marina. Karen Bryant, Stockton

New Redhead lookout. Laurence Lock Lee, Belmont

The search for the Hunter's best backyard photographer is in full swing.

Photographers from across the region have been tasked to capture life in Hunter as part of the Newcastle Herald's Summer Photo Competition with images that showcased the Hunter Valley's stunning natural landscape, serene and at times unforgiving climate, as well as capturing the signs of our time.

Each day, the gallery will be updated with new photos from the region's passionate snappers.

The competition is still open, and entries can be submitted until 5pm Thursday, January 26, 2024.

Winners receive camera prize packages from Domayne @ Harvey Norman Kotara. The judges' selection receives a Nikon Z 30 camera kit with an 16-50mm lens (valued at $988) while people's choice will receive a Canon EOS R50 with an 18-45mm lens kit ($978).

The judges will include Newcastle Herald editor Lisa Allan, Herald senior deputy editor Matt Carr, Herald senior photographer Simone De Peak, Herald news director Jamieson Murphy, Herald journalist Simon McCarthy and Hunter Communities editor Donna Sharpe.

The competition closes at 5pm on Thursday January 25, 2024. Winners will be named in print and online on the following two Saturdays.