Bird Photo Competition 3 2017 : Results

  • Competition Winner : First Prize
  • $753.20
  • Judges Comment
  • There are so many things that are 'right' about this image that it's hard to know where to start. This wagtail is a great subject due to its graceful proportions and splash of yellow accenting its otherwise monochrome plumage. Photographing this bird exhibiting interesting behaviour in a dynamic and appealing pose is an achievement in itself. Capturing this moment with perfect lighting and perch against a clean, colour-complimentary backdrop is a further accomplishment. Covering up the bottom half of this image shows what a great portrait shot this could have been even without the reflection. The crowning glory, though, is to have captured all of this with such a perfect reflection. Even so, poor framing could still have detracted from this image, but that element is spot-on as well, with the bird-and-reflection combo having just the right size and position in the frame. As a final note, since this may not be appreciated by non bird photographers: for a variety of reasons, photographing small bird species such as this one is hugely more difficult than photographing larger birds. Make no mistake: this is expert bird photography!
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • Clear reflections, low shooting angle and twilight glow combine with the opposing poses and ghostly motion-blurs to create a striking result.
  • Photographers Comment
  • Picture taken in Hungary during winter time. An incredible color at dusk. Grey herons and great white egrets are there. Some are standing, others are moving. A slow speed show both.
  • https://500px.com/lemarcost
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • The serene bottom half and sinister top half of this image combine to create an eerie setting for these flying swans.
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • Surreal backlit view of starlings bathing, with the incoming bird providing a focal point against the multitude of droplets.
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • Wonderful environmental shot with this well-posed African Hornbill outlined against an optimally-defocused background.
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • A thoughtful composition that perfectly balances the significance of the bird, perch and snowy setting.
  • Photographers Comment
  • The kingfisher is my favorite bird. I go every monday near my home to see this beautiful bird. I've made so much picture of the little king I try others things like here with slow speed during snowing time
  • https://500px.com/lemarcost
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • With so many clichéd peacock photos around, this beautifully captured composition is a delightful alternative.
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • This intimate close-up gets 99% of its appeal from the emergence of the chick's bill-tip next to that of its attentive parent.
  • Photographers Comment
  • Thank you so much for considering my photo and awarding it with a Mark of Excellence award. This was my first time photographing Sandhill Cranes. I had an idea as to when the eggs would hatch but the estimated time can always vary. I took this shot hoping to see a crack with promise...but it wasn't until I pulled it up on the computer at home that I saw that the colt was pipping and that I had actually captured the little beak through the crack. I knew then that the colt would hatch by the next day! This photo was taken in Venice Florida with a Canon 80D and a Sigma 150mm - 600mm lense.
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • Incredible timing and angle as these mid-air-feeding swallows create a butterfly-like outline.
  • Photographers Comment
  • Thanks for the Mark of Excellence. I taken this photo via Canon 1D4+Tamron 150-600mm. 1/2500, F5.6 at 256mm. It's too difficult to foucs when they were moving from the ground to sky. Hand Held. And I processed in Lightroom. Thanks again.
  • www.deanphotography.net