Bird Photo Competition 1 2014 : Results

Judges Comment
The initial impact of this image comes from the intense red and green of the Kapok flower and the White-eye perched on it, but there is plenty more to enjoy: the graceful curves, the fine details and the strong eye-line between bird and bee. A great combination of plant, insect and bird in one memorable image.
Photographers Comment
Thank you for selecting my picture to win this competition. This picture was taken in Hong Kong, near the Aberdeen Tunnel of Wong Chuk Hang Road side. There are three Kapok flower trees beside a flyover. From the mid of March each year, many kind of birds visiting these trees to enjoy the honey. So that many photographers would visit there to enjoy photographing birds and Kapok flower. This picture was taken by Nikon D800E with the AF-S 300mm f2.8 VRII and tele-converter TC-17E, A mode, ISO2000, f6.3 1/1250s. I did cropping, noise reduction and adjustment on contrast to make this winning photo. I am very happy I win this competition, thank you very much!
chanchunming.wix.com/chanchunmingphoto

Judges Comment
It takes a moment to appreciate the qualities of this understated image, which exquisitely depicts a heron in its natural habitat.

Judges Comment
A wide angle lens takes you right into this scene that tells the story of one of Man's more controversial interactions with birds.
Photographers Comment
From a recent trip to China, outside the town of Xingping, fisherman use cormorant birds to catch fish. I shot this just as dusk was settling and the fog and smoke created a beautiful soft light in the valley. Not much done in post, I brought the highlights in a little bit to give it a little more of that dusky glow and brought back a bit of details in the bird, but basically as captured.
www.garretsuhrie.com

Judges Comment
This image works both as a natural study of a bird defending its nest and as a humorous image reminiscent of a cuckoo-clock.
Photographers Comment
Thank so much for voting for my image! It's an honor! I shot this image at the Wetland Park in Kaohsiung City,Taiwan! It's a Taiwan Barbet and it was waiting for it's mate! Unfortunately they abandoned the nest later so I couldn't shoot more images. I used a Canon 600d + Canon 400mm 5.6 L USM. I didn't do much post processing! I did a light color adjustment and cropping in lightroom! Boris
borissmokrovic.500px.com/

Judges Comment
This 'shall we dance?' pose perfectly conveys the elegance of cranes' well-known courtship displays.
Photographers Comment
Thank you SO much for choosing my image for an Award of Excellence. This image was captured on a trip to Japan this February. We were rewarded with some beautiful displays of behavior by the Red-Capped Cranes!! Shot with a Nikon D600 handheld using Nikon 80-400 VR at 400mm, 1/1250 at f/11. Minimal post-processing in Lightroom. This is my first photo contest and I am beyond thrilled to be recognized!! Quite honored!
www.sunlight.smugmug.com

Judges Comment
Studio-style lighting and posing convey an almost human appearance to this well-coiffed Caracara.
Photographers Comment
Thank you so much for voting for my "The Mafioso" Caracara photo! I am delighted! The image was shot at Flamingo Gardens Wildlife Sanctuary in Florida. Nikon D800 -Nikon 28-300mm at 145mm ISO 400 -F8 - 1/40 Raw image post processing with CS6 and Topaz adjust and clarity Shelale Savash
www.shelales.com

Judges Comment
The use of slow shutter speeds can create a sense of movement, but needs considerable skill to create an image that works, rather than a messy blur.
Photographers Comment
Thank you for another Mark of Excellence. This shot shows a black-necked grebe. I shot a series of 14 pictures but only the 2nd one was sharp enough. Shot with Canon 1DX + 600mm EF f4 + 2 TK + 580EX Flash @ 1/80 sec f13
www.betz-naturfot.de

Judges Comment
The extreme 'widescreen' format makes the most of this flock of stilts gliding low over the still water.
Photographers Comment
good afternoon I SHOT IT I live in Perth Western Australia. The image was taken with a canon 1D Mk iv + 600mm II + 1.4x. f5.6 Tv 1/2500 iso500. post processed with canon DPP from a raw image. The location is Lake Mclarty about 100km south of Perth. Perth is the currant location for the missing malaysia airline plane. cheers H.

Judges Comment
Intense 'eye contact' between this hovering tufted titmouse and its reflection in a vehicle mirror capture this intriguing behavior wonderfully.
Photographers Comment
Tom Brake. Abingdon VA. Thank you for your mark of excellence award. This Photo was taken on a cold morning in February 2014. I sat beside the rear of my pickup taking photos of this titmouse as it played with its reflection in the mirror. The bird was not disturbed by my presence as I adjusted my position to get the desired angle for the reflection. I was fortunate to have several opportunities for the shot as the bird would spend a few minutes playing in the mirror, go away to the feeders and return to play again. Canon 7D. Canon EF 75-300 mm lens at 220mm. ISO 640. F/5 at 1/1600