Tina Scott’s viral photos of the Hedland reef show a different side to town

A Port Hedland photographer hopes a series of photos depicting a life-and-death struggle between a bird and stingray which have gone viral overseas will help the world see her home as more than a mining town. Tina Scott has gone to Town Beach with fellow reef walkers for the past decade to document the diversity of nature against the backdrop of the world’s biggest export port. Last month her picture of a cormorant eating a stingray attracted the attention of Singaporean and English media outlets who posted her images online. The images have attracted more than 41,000 likes and 1400 comments on Singapore’s Mothership Media. Ms Scott, pictured inset, said it was thrilling to be recognised and hoped the attention would propel Hedland on to the world stage for its natural beauty. “I hope that we can get some recognition for Port Hedland wildlife because it is so unique and no one knows it is here,” she said. “I posted a couple of pictures on a bird-photograph page which is Australia-wide and wrote about Port Hedland and the environment here. To me it is astounding that we have this incredible inner tidal reef which is on the edge of the world’s largest bulk export port.” Ms Scott said although it was confronting to see the encounter, she wanted more people to appreciate its beauty.