Over the past fortnight many people have been saddened by news that Birkdale resident Erica Siegel passed away on 25 January 2026, aged 84.
Erica was well known as a wildlife photographer and artist who captured and presented images of wildlife in the Redlands, and elsewhere.
In 2014 Erica Siegel was one of 12 Redland City Inspiring Seniors Award winners. Over the next decade, she went on to inspire many other Redlands residents to follow in her footsteps, photographing local wildlife and advocating for habitat protection.
She published many of her wildlife images on her Erica Siegel Wildlife Photography and Fine Art website, helping many people to identify and learn about native birds and animals.
For many years, Erica had a stall at various local markets selling prints of her photos and paintings in a range of sizes and formats. She would enjoy talking to market-goers about the wildlife that she was portraying in her works.
In her later years, Erica became an authority on Australia’s native bees. It’s a big subject area with 1,653 species identified and about 500 more species yet to be scientifically named. Many of Erica’s native bee photos have been published in works such as:
- The Australian Beekeeping Manual by Robert Owen October 2015 – 40 images and chapter 14 on solitary native bees.
- The Native Bee Book by Tim Heard December 2015 – 4 images.
- AgGuide Australian native bees DPI NSW Tocal College October 2016 – 20 images
- Miniature Lives by Michelle Gleeson March 2016
- Australian native bee 2024 Calendar – front cover
In May 2016 the Redland Museum had an exhibition featuring many of Erica’s bird and bee photographs.
For Erica, wildlife photography was a way to focus humans’ attention on other species trying to survive around us.
Erica was a resolute environmental activist, advocating for the protection of wildlife habitat. She opposed plans for residential development on Ramsar wetlands next to Toondah Harbour, and the Redland Whitewater Centre proposed for publicly owned land in Birkdale.
Over the past two weeks Erica’s life and work has been fondly remembered by many people and groups including a tribute posted by Pia Jensen, President of the Australian Photographic Society and President of the Redlands Camera Club, which included the following:
I recall her early days when she was learning photography. She had a strong will to learn and went on to master all the areas of photography that interested her. She was strong and resilient, with a tough exterior and a warm heart. Whatever she set her mind to, she pursued with determination.
During her time with the club, Erica was an active member who at times also mentored other members such as running a print matting workshop at the church rooms, guiding at one of the stations during our Reptile+Plus workshop at Capalaba Regional Park and helping out with events, exhibitions, and other club activities when they occurred.
Beyond photography, Erica was a force of nature, spearheading a campaign against council to prevent the razing of a nearby block of land that served as a refuge for many local birds – naturally she succeeded!
Erica was many things. For me, I’ll remember her above all for her love of nature, her determination to protect it and her resilient, purposeful spirit.
Funeral arrangements for Erica Siegel
A funeral service for Erica Siegel will be held on Monday 9th February 2026 at 10:30am at the Alex Gow complex at 156 Woodlands Drive, Thornlands.
Erica is survived by her two sons, Patrik Berger and Marcus Siegel, grandchildren Elise Atkins and Matthew Berger, great grandchildren Stephanie Atkins and Riley Berger. In Switzerland, her place of birth, she leaves behind her brother Hugo Wassmuth and nieces Barbara Wassmuth and Gabriela Wassmuth.
8 February 2026 – Redlands2030