Wildlife Photo Competition 6 2017 : Results

Judges Comment
We have a beautiful scruffy bear and an absolutely desperate looking salmon, the piercing eye of a hunter and the helpless eye of the hunted. This is a stunning capture with a strong composition and a striking fast shutter speed that breaks up the water. Grizzly bears catching salmon photos have become pretty common but you have found something original. Well done, you win this round.
Photographers Comment
My name is Anita Ross. I am so thrilled to have received this award. I feel so fortunate to have been able to witness the coastal brown bear moms as they were fishing at Lake Clark National Park in Alaska this last September. For this shot I was sitting at the edge of the water in the rain when much to my surprise this bear know as Crimp Ear decided to bring her catch onto the shore so close to me. I was using my Canon 1DX Mark II and 400DO II lens. My settings were f/4, 1/1000, ISO 1250, 400mm.

Judges Comment
This photograph says so much, and it is fun. There is the “It is mine and you won’t get it!” but it is also so wild; the ripped up bit of salmon flesh, the outdoor-wind-swept fur coat and bloody muzzle. It is a great telephoto photo with a sharp short focus isolating this young bear.
Photographers Comment
My name is Anita Ross. I feel so honored to have received this award. I was at Lake Clark National Park in Alaska observing the mama bears fishing with their cubs. These cubs were so cute to watch. This little one was quite a character. I just love his expression and the bones hanging from his mouth. He looks like he just got in trouble for stealing this fish from his brother. I was using my Canon 1DX Mark II and my 400DOII lens. My settings were f4.5, 1/400, ISO 1250, 400mm.

Judges Comment
This is an incredible image of a pine marten showing great technical property, research and preparation. Big bravo.

Judges Comment
Well it is a bear round, and deservedly so. Here is another striking shot with lovely movement. Sheer power in delicate purposeful motion.
Photographers Comment
Bruce Faanes Lake Clark, Alaska Canon EOS 1D X Mark II w/EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Ext 1.4X Standard sharpening and exposure.
bfaanesphotos.com

Judges Comment
This round’s comical photo.Why is it some animals are funny to look at and others (see below) are so gruesome? Well i believe all can be both, it is why we take a photo in the first place, it is all about capturing an instant, an air, about space and angle. I like the inquisitive rather surprised and very human expression you have found here.
Photographers Comment
Susanne Wunn, Sonsbeck/Germany: Thank you very much for this Mark of Excellence. Saw this funny goats with different hairstyles in the „Maasduinen“, a heathlands in the Netherland early in the misty morning / Nikon D800/E
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005033028077

Judges Comment
The beautiful and proud scottish stag in his highland home. It is a pleasing minimalist composition where the stag grabs all of our attention. Well done.

Judges Comment
Nice reflection and mood for these beautiful hunting cheetahs in the early savannah sun light.
Photographers Comment
Ph. Marco Poggioni. The shot was taken in Tanzania, in the Serengeti National Park, few hours after sunrise. The two cheetahs were wandering along the river bank, and suddenly jumped on a big stone in the center of the river. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 70-200 f2.8 VRII.
www.marcopoggioni.com

Judges Comment
Here is the gruesome one, the wart hog. He is moving and you have caught him with his legs crossed giving him an unlikely delicate allure. Fun photo with an interesting close look at his untidiness :-)
Photographers Comment
Ph. Marco Poggioni. Usually the warthogs are considered ugly and not very interesting animals. But I think it is in their grotesque ugliness that we can find the charm of these animals. The photograph was taken in South Africa with a Nikon D800E and a Nikkor 70-200 f2.8 VRII lens
www.marcopoggioni.com