Bird Photo Competition 5 2016 : Results

  • Competition Winner : First Prize
  • $759.20
  • Judges Comment
  • At first sight, this photo is a classic beach sunset scene, with pleasing orange sunlight reflecting off the crests of the incoming waves. The large silhouetted heron apparently gazing out to sea, placed off-centre, is also quickly recognisable. But this image has hidden depths. The distant people standing in the ethereal glow of the sun mirror the heron's gaze, and what looks like a house even further away creates a real sense of depth. Finally, there's a strong perspective effect provided by the lines radiating from the house as a vanishing point: the horizon, the shoreline running to the corner of the frame and the diagonal lines through the heads of the people and heron, and also their feet. These work together to create a bold, geometrical composition unexpected is such a natural setting. Whether planned or not, the elements of an image can combine to create a whole that's greater than the sum of its parts. The photographer has definitely achieved that in this case.
  • Photographers Comment
  • "Coexisting" I originally went to the beach to try to shoot a panorama that captured both the rise of the full moon simultaneously with the sunset. Unfortunately the moon was enshrouded by clouds, but the sunset was phenomenal. When I saw this Great Blue Heron fishing for his dinner, I crept up on him to capture his silhouette. When I noticed the people in the background walking toward the shoreline, I waited for them to get in just the right position to complement the bird's position. This is my favorite kind of shot....the one you get when you're chasing something else...perfect serendipity. I am honored to have my image alongside so many amazing others, and very humbled for this affirmation of my work. Thank you! Kim
  • www.zenfolio.com/kdherold
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • Birds of prey are accustomed to having to fend off competitors for their prey, but my money would definitely be on the heron in this case and the birds' body language suggests they feel the same way. Strong eye contact and a wily onlooking crow waiting its chance add further interest.
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • A sumptuous autumnal 'birdscape' with a distant pheasant silhouetted against the layered forest setting.
  • Photographers Comment
  • Photographer: Dave Mullany/Motion Click Productions Shot on the Wootton Hall Estate, Staffordshire, November 2015. Canon 5D3 with 70-200 f2.8 IS mk2. Processed in Lightroom, tweaks to colour temperature and highlight / shadow recovery.
  • www.motionclick.co.uk
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • A well timed landing shot made more engaging by the second pelican and, especially, the snow-capped peaks looming above the mist.
  • Photographers Comment
  • This was shoot at Lake Kerkini in northern Greece. Canon 5D mark III with a Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 IS II USM at 1/100 at f/5.6 and ISO 400.
  • ruzdiekenheim.500px.com
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • This young albatross is nicely depicted against a background that sums up its world.
  • Photographers Comment
  • Whilst on the trip of a lifetime to The Falklands Islands and South Georgia, we travelled to Prion Island (South Georgia) in an attempt to land and view its Wandering albatross colony. At 6am and with relatively quiet seas, I was fortunate to land in one of the first Zodiac boats and made my way up the island amongst the iconic South Georgian tussac grass. It was an unforgettable couple of hours spent watching these stunning and rare birds and this shot of a big fluffy Wandering albatross chick is one of my favourites from the trip. Once it learns to fly, it will depart Prion Island and spend the next 6-7 years out at sea, never returning to land until it travels back to the same spot to find a mate that it will stay with for the rest of its 60 year life. Taken with my Nikon D810 and Nikon 24-70 f/2.8 lens at 70mm, 1/1000 sec, f/8, ISO 400. Post processed in Lightroom CC.
  • www.PHILIPFIELD.com
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • Great lighting and reflection on this egret, plus the classic compositional trick of positioning a bird with a wake/trail such that it's moving out of the frame.
  • Photographers Comment
  • Thank you from Santa Cruz California! My name is Mikey, I'm honored to be selected among such a beautiful collection of photos. This Egret cast a clean reflection over Corcoran Lagoon as I passed one morning on my way to work. Shot with a Nikon D750 and 50mm 1.4G, cropped a bit in post. As this bird took flight I barely had time to point the camera in the general trajectory and take a couple shots. I'm glad I did not miss the opportunity.
  • www.instagram.com/duganix
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • An interesting pose and those big eyes staring right 'down the barrel' make this a captivating image.
  • Photographers Comment
  • Thank you for the recognition. I took this photo a few weeks ago at Lake Hodges in Escondido, California. I was out on a boat quietly floating towards this Night Heron and he did not mind me taking a few profile shots. I had my Canon 7D Mark II and 100-400 lens. The eyes got me too :-)
  • www.KSNaturePhotography.com
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • A well anticipated moment conveying the humour of this running gaggle of geese.
  • Photographers Comment
  • That you for this recognition! These geese were at a herding trial in Eagle Point, OR. They were running to their pond in this photo. The sight and sound of them was amazing!! I took this photo with a Canon T3 with a 75-300 lens. I cropped it a bit. Lori
  • https://loriwestling.smugmug.com/My-First-Gallery/n-VNTghG/