Bird Photo Competition 3 2014 : Results

  • Competition Winner : First Prize
  • $259.20 plus a Leica C worth $700
  • Judges Comment
  • Many bird photos can be lacking in color and the inclusion of a bright image element such as this coneflower would overwhelm the majority of avian subjects. However, the brilliant yellow plumage of this (cutely posed) American Goldfinch holds its own against the equal amounts of orange and pink in the frame. A rich green backdrop completes an unusually vivid bird image.
  • Photographers Comment
  • Thank you so much for selecting my photo! My name is Jessica Kirste and I am a 36 year old photographer from New Jersey, USA. After a visit to the zoo I noticed the many coneflowers in the landscaping when I was getting ready to leave. Being somewhat hidden by the flowers I noticed this goldfinch on the flower that hung off to the side. A few quick shots till he realized I was there and then he was gone! Sometimes you just get lucky! This was shot using a Canon 7D with a Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM. I process my photos using Adobe Camera Raw and Nik Viveza. Thanks again and congrats to all the other photos who won marks of excellence! I consider bird competitions to be one of the toughest so this is a honor.
  • www.jessicakirste.com
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • A low shooting angle and great timing take the viewer right into this Oystercatcher's world.
  • Photographers Comment
  • Thank you for the mark of excellence! This was shot at Nickerson Beach on Long Island, New York. The oystercatchers had offspring in training and were busy near the surf getting food to care about anyone wanting to photograph them. Laying flat in the sand I was able to get at their level. This was shot using a Canon 7D with a Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM. I process my photos using Adobe Camera Raw and Nik Viveza. ~Jessica Kirste
  • www.jessicakirste.com
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • A wonderfully atmospheric portrait of a well posed loon/diver in the morning mist.
  • Photographers Comment
  • Thanks for the Mark of Excellence :) I'd never been able to get all that close to the loons until I took up kayaking recently. One morning they came out of the brush on the edge of the lake and swam circles around me for a little while and I was able to get this shot. They're beautiful, graceful creatures. This photo was taken in Osceola County, Michigan.
  • facebook.com/robharringtonphoto
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • Hummingbird photos often feature the birds against sterile plain backgrounds. By capturing this bird feeding from a flower against a mixed backdrop, a more natural feel has been achieved.
  • Photographers Comment
  • Thanks. I am Dale Hoffman. This was shot with an Olympus E3 at 1/250 second, F5, ISO 100 with a Olympus 50-200, FL 50 flash. I shoot with flash often and very much enjoy Hummingbirds. I'm from Ortonville MI. This picture was taken in my deck Hummingbird garden, on the fourth of July 2014. Processed with Lightroom3.
  • www.i-shot-it.com/competition-photo.php?id=53b958cf75fee
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • Good use of color and tone elevates this photo of a flamingo flock into an evocative image.
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • A well timed capture of an intimate moment between these Gannets is made more engaging by the 'high key' treatment and sparkling sea.
  • Photographers Comment
  • Thanks for the votes! This picture was taken on a small island in the north sea. The Northern Gannets are really lovley birds and it is a fantastic experience to watch them. I used a Canon 5DMK2 and the Canon 100-400 L IS USM lens. ISO 50, 275mm, 1/320sec, f5.6
  • www.sommerblende.de
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • A dreamy composition of shapes and colors that reminds me of Japanese art.
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • This unusual and humorous scene was very well observed and captured.
  • Photographers Comment
  • Thank you to the judges for their consideration and selection. Congrats to Jessica for her award winning shot! Awesome. Well done fellow "mark of excellence" recipients. This was a chance sighting on the way to a tiger safari at Bannerghatta zoological park in Bangalore, India. The two looked completely at home in the pipes. It was quite hilarious to see double- barrelled owlets.
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • This well composed toucan close-up makes me want to grab my camera and head to my local zoo!