Bird Photo Competition 2012 : Results

  • Competition Winner : First Prize
  • $1,479.00
  • Judges Comment
  • A serene scene with glorious sunset lighting as the rufous facial features of the alighting godwit contrast vividly with the verdant vegetation. Off-centre placement of the elegantly-posed subject rounds off an aesthetic and evocative image.
  • Photographers Comment
  • My name is Thomas Sass Pedersen and I'm from Denmark. This is one of those shots that just happens. Two minutes before the sun went below the horizon, and you are just hoping to get one more frame before the magic is over. Well, it happened to me. It's taken with a Nikon D3s and a borrowed 600mm f/4 lens. This is just one of those lucky punches. For more of those visit www.tsp-photo.com
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • The intensely-staring yellow eyes add a colorful focal point as the owl springs into flight amidst a subdued snowy woodland scene.
  • Photographers Comment
  • Thank you so much for this wonderful honor. My name is Teresa Jack and I am a freelance photographer from Middletown Ohio. I photographed this beautiful, Snowy White Owl at the Howell Nature Center in Howell Michigan. I used a Canon 7D with a Canon 70-300mm IS lens with the following settings ISO-320, shutter-1/799 second, F-Stop-7.1. Minor adjustments of color, crop and contrast in CS4. Check out my website at www.caughtintimephotos.com
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • A wide-angle shot from an ultra-low viewpoint places the viewer right in the middle of the goose flock, the repeating orange bills and feet contrasting with the cool blues of the winter scene.
  • Photographers Comment
  • My name is Davy Curran and i'd like to thank " I Shot It " for the photo recognition . This was taken while hiking around a lake in Ireland , with my Nikon D300 and a Tamaron 18-270mm lens open all the way to18mm and a shutter speed of 1/800. Luckily there was someone else to my right feeding the geese which drew their attention and enabled me to get down to ground level and capture the shot .
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • A wonderful collection of textures as this dozing owl huddles against a lichen-covered tree-trunk.
  • Photographers Comment
  • Thank you very much for the honor and recognition. My name is Erika Atherton. I am a freelance photographer from Grosse Pointe, Michigan. This photo was also taken at Howell Nature Center in Howell Michigan. It was shot with a Sigman 50-500 f/4.5-6.3 mounted on a Nikon D300 at 380mm, ISO 400, f8, 1/200 with some minor adjustments made to color and contrast. I am currently developing my website but some of my work can be viewed here: http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/erika-atherton.html
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • This albatross is naturally depicted in its oceanic environment, a matching pose from a maritime neighbour adding interest to the composition.
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • A well-composed capture of this classic courtship dance as the pair of paddling grebes kick up a wall of water.
  • Photographers Comment
  • Thank you very much! I am Dennis E Kirkland, a freelance photographer living in Grants Pass, Oregon. I shot this image at Klamath Lake, Oregon using a Canon eos 1D Mark lll with Canon 600 mm f4 IS lens. These are Clark's Grebes in their dramatic courting dance/mating display. There was very minor cropping and a bit of contrast added in post processing on this raw captured image.
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • This action shot tells a story as a waxwing chases a juicy berry, the gaping bill and extreme wing angle adding real dynamism.
  • Photographers Comment
  • Thank you. This photo was taken in New Hampshire with a Canon EOS 40D and Canon 400 mm prime lens, f/4.5 1/1600. This was slightly cropped . It depicts a Cedar Waxwing chasing after a berry from a Vibernum, aka New England Cranberry that was knocked loose by another bird. Since these birds spend their summers plucking insects from the air this was likely easy work for this Cedar. Mary Fran Errigo-Loggans
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • A low shooting angle and warm-toned light make the most of this pleasingly-reflected crake.
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • A simple setting with natural woodland colors allow the intense blue plumage of the well-captured bluetail to leap off the screen.