Bird Photo Competition 1 2020 : Results
- Competition Winner : First Prize
- $598.40
- Judges Comment
- The winner of the Birds photo competition this time around was easy to choose as this dynamic action shot would be difficult to beat. Using their famous high-speed stoop technique, Peregrine falcons can stun and kill some pretty large birds in flight. In this case, although it would be thrilling to think the falcon was attempting to capture something as big as a Brown pelican, it's more likely to be a case of parental protection behaviour. That said, the resulting image is no less striking, with the swept-back wings and stretched talons of the falcon and the extreme, inverted pose of the pelican. Strong diagonal lines and hard lighting add to the dynamism of the composition. This is the type of image any bird photographer would love to capture. The photographer must have been relieved to confirm on his/her camera's screen that the opportunity had not been missed.
- Photographers Comment
- Thank you so so much!!! You are correct, the female Peregrine Falcon was protecting the nest with 3 chicks. The photo was taken at Torrey Pines State Park in La Jolla CA. The Falcons nest up at the cliffs edge and mom watches over as the Pelicans fly by. Here and there she feels the urge to let them know that they ventured too close to the nest. Thank you again for the honor and yes, I did check my camera quick to make sure I got the action :-). Cheers~~ Krisztina (KS Nature Photography)
- www.KSNaturePhotography.com
- Mark Of Excellence
- Judges Comment
- Low sunlight from behind this Stilt has beautifully illuminated both the bird and its aquatic setting
- Mark Of Excellence
- Judges Comment
- A classic action shot as this pair of Kestrels grapple with a prey item
- Photographers Comment
- 2 Kestrels falcons taken in our backyard !!! First time I see them with a bird and not mouse I've made a hide on a tree
- https://www.facebook.com/MarcCostermansPhoto/
- Mark Of Excellence
- Judges Comment
- A close crop and low key treatment have created an intimate portrait of this Puffin pair
- Photographers Comment
- David George...there was an amazing number of Puffins when we were in Iceland, June 2019. This was the only image I got that seemed to show genuine affection between a pair of Puffins. They were nesting in cliffs and I used a Nikon D850 with the Nikon 70-200mm f4.0 lens.
- davidbgeorgephotography.smugmug.com/
- Mark Of Excellence
- Judges Comment
- This eagle's majesty is humorously diminished by the tail-tugging crow
- Mark Of Excellence
- Judges Comment
- An interesting moth species elevates this well-posed Bee-eater portrait
- Mark Of Excellence
- Judges Comment
- Mandarins are quite at home in trees (where they nest), but still make for an eye-catching 'duck in a tree' shot