Bird Photo Competition 1 2017 : Results
- Competition Winner : First Prize
- $694.40
- Judges Comment
- In any type of wildlife photography, if you can convey the spectacle of a species en masse, this can be much more powerful than depicting a single individual. Such mass shots, though, can be challenging for two reasons: first, showing many individuals normally means you don't see any real detail in any of the individuals; second, large group shots don't normally have a focal point to capture the attention. In this shot, though, the incoming flock of Auks has been framed with the closest bird showing detail and providing a focal point. The differential focus of the more distant birds adds a sense of depth to the scene. This is a great example of how the power of a flock can be harnessed to create an image with real impact.
- Photographers Comment
- Thank you for selecting my picture as winner of this competition! These guillemots were photographed at the Hornøya birdcliff in Northern Norway. It was a windy day, and the birds are flying agains the wind direction in this image. It was a fantastic experience to have these birds passing few meters above my head :) Espen Bergersen - www.naturgalleriet.no
- www.naturgalleriet.no
- Mark Of Excellence
- Judges Comment
- Incredible timing as this hawk strikes its doomed prey.
- Photographers Comment
- The last gasp! This Ferruginous Hawk was new to our area and I had seen it out hunting a few times before. I happened to be out mountain biking with camera in tow and was fortunate enough to catch it diving. It was truly a once in a lifetime shot for me. David in Colorado. Nikon D7200 200-500mm
- Mark Of Excellence
- Judges Comment
- A highly atmospheric shot of a Snowy Owl against the full moon.
- Mark Of Excellence
- Judges Comment
- A humourous juxtaposition of Bald Eagle and aircraft contrail.
- Mark Of Excellence
- Judges Comment
- A pleasing blur with a pin-sharp head is a technical challenge, but it has been nailed in this case.
- Mark Of Excellence
- Judges Comment
- Perfect angles and a classic composition complete this well-timed Skimmer shot.
- Photographers Comment
- I'm a retired Wildlife Biologist and full-time photographer. I shot the Black Skimmer at St. Marks NWR on a early morning with overcast skies. I used a Nikon D810 with a 500mm f/4 lens and a 1.7x Teleconverter attached.
- www.naturesvisionphotography.com/
- Mark Of Excellence
- Judges Comment
- The tight formation and 'stacked' effect of these stunning King Eiders provide a strong action composition.
- Mark Of Excellence
- Judges Comment
- It's always difficult to get an unobscured photo of a Kinglet, so to capture one of these tiny birds with its crest raised is quite an achievement.
- Photographers Comment
- Thank you so much to the judge for giving my photo a mark of excellence. My name is Jacob McGinnis. I took this photo of this male Golden-crowned Kinglet at Cottage Lake Park, Woodinville, WA, USA. I used a Nikon D7000 and my trusty Nikon 300mm f/4D ED lens. I shoot in raw, so I process all my photos through Adobe Lightroom CC. I made only minimal color and exposure adjustments, in order to make the photo look as true to reality as possible.
- www.jacobmcginnisphoto.com
- Mark Of Excellence
- Judges Comment
- This mixed colour/mono technique is an effective way of getting the Wren to stand out from its setting.
- Photographers Comment
- Thanks for choosing my photo for getting an Mark Of Excellence. Indeed I took the color out of the picture to see the little wren a bit better. I used a Canon 5KIV and a 500mm Canon lens , handhold. Congratulation to the winner of this contest.
- www.nature-enthusiastic.com/