Bird Photo Competition 4 2017 : Results

Judges Comment
For most bird photographers, the first few years are spent trying to get sharper and more detailed images of their subjects. Only after this can be accomplished consistently do they tend to consider that 'sharper isn't always better'. At that point, they often realise that taking a pleasingly blurred shot can be even more difficult that taking a sharp one. The ideal blurs allow the birds' heads to still be frozen, whilst the motion of the wings is conveyed by just the right amount of blur. Even with the right technique, if the birds are photographed against an uninteresting background (such as a plain sky), the results will lack impact. Here, though, the photographer has captured this small wader (shorebird) flock amidst a glorious wintry scene, flying into the frame and balanced by the warm glow from the sun. Reflections in the lightly-rippled water and a snowy backdrop all add to the ethereal feel. This is the kind of image I want to keep coming back to.

Judges Comment
Here the photographer has not only timed the Kingfisher's dive to perfection, but has also used a combination of flash and natural light to provide both frozen and blurred depictions of the subject at the same time.
Photographers Comment
Lot of work to achieve this... The backlight is made by the sun, this picture is made by a huge underexposure and slow speed (1/80sec). With this speed we can see the movement of the bird. To make the sharpness, 4 flashes were used at 1/16 power to make a high speed flash (1/6600 sec !!!) Lot of tries to succeed this !
https://500px.com/lemarcost

Judges Comment
The backdrop here could easily be mistaken for a starfield, but the scale provided by the Hoopoe reveals that the stars are in fact water droplets. An unusual and striking image.
Photographers Comment
I have the chance to go every years 1 or 2 weeks with groups at Bence Maté's hides in Hungary. In this picture, I was at the Hoopooe black hide. Black because the background is made by a pine forest. In the day of the picture, it was raining, I've put flashes for the backlight and one for the front light. With underexposure the background is black and we see the drop of the rain making stars
https://500px.com/lemarcost

Judges Comment
The top half of this image is a good example of the use of a wide-angle lens to take the viewer right into a bird flock. The bottom half depicts what has become a new habitat for many gull species worldwide, with a sinister twist being added by the doll's head in the foreground.

Judges Comment
Although the aurora is the clear attention-grabber in this image, the large number of cormorants on the pier provide foreground interest not normally found in aurora shots.

Judges Comment
This gull on a glass roof is a brilliantly observed shot, causing momentary puzzlement until we recognise what we're looking at.

Judges Comment
Everyone knows eagles are big birds but without the crow in this image - itself a good-sized species - it would be difficult to appreciate the sheer enormity of this raptor.

Judges Comment
The inverted flight of Ravens during their aerobatic displays lasts only an instant, so capturing it is difficult. Most bird photographers would have cropped out the 'clipped' second bird, but here it provides orientation and adds interest to the composition.

Judges Comment
This photo works well as both an environmental and a behavioural shot. I especially like the way you can see how pliable the godwit's bill is, which is essential for effective feeding.

Judges Comment
This silhouette leads the eye nicely from the bottom of the frame to the Osprey's head peeking out from the enormous nest.
Photographers Comment
Thank You for the Mark of Excellence! My name is Lisa L. Kee. I am a hobbyist photographer from Missouri. This image was taken while in Florida for a 10 day birding trip. Shot with a Canon 7D, Canon 500mm f/4.5 lens. ISO 400, f/5.6@ 1/4000th. Processed in Lightroom 3.
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