Wildlife Photo Competition 3 2013 : Results

Judges Comment
A fantastic encounter with this giant mammal and a lovely photograph with mottled light, strong colour and beautiful composition. The diagonal shot adds to the drama and allows the other whales in the distance to fit in the frame. It is a strong composition where the giant’s eye, the diver and the distant whales keep the eye wandering. Well done, and the first whale to win this competition !
Photographers Comment
Peter G. Allinson, M.D. Photo taken under permit off the west coast of Dominica, with Nikon D300ws and nikon 10-24mm lens, in an Aquatica housing with a 9.25" dome port, hand held, available light, Adobe CS6 raw converter: white balance, shadows & highlights. Taken while swimming with the whales.

Judges Comment
The black and white really enhances the texture of these elephants’ crumpled skin, the tones are beautifully dark and the elephants’ entwined trunks make a nice graphic frame. Great shot and lovely post processing.
Photographers Comment
My Name is Paul Anthony wilson and I am a photographer from the North East of England....when people ask me what kind of photography I do...I reply 'spontaneous'....having a camera ready for the unexpected is paramount to capture those unique moments. This shot was processed using photoshop and Siver Efex Pro, a combination I use for most of my monochrome work....my equipment is Nikon.
www.paulanthonywilson.co.uk

Judges Comment
This is a great action shot of two of nature’s best sprinters. The light is beautiful and has been nicely exposed while the background trees bring depth and atmosphere to this savannah environment. You have captured such a powerful attitude of this beautiful hunter, locked onto its prey who surely has no chance. Fantastic, well done.
Photographers Comment
Thank you so much for choosing both my pictures for the mark of excellence award and my congratulations for the winner for his outstanding documentation. My name is Johnny Krüger and I live in Germany. I had lots of luck because I was standing on the right spot with the right camera ready to shoot - the visible part of this hunting scene lasted about 2 seconds.. unfortunately nothing we could have done to support the rabbit.. shot with a Canon 1 D mk 3 and a Canon 70-200/2.8 lens.
www.pfotograf.info

Judges Comment
Beautiful soft light, and indeed a soft touch, for this lynx and its cub. You have done well getting in so close on a rare scene like this, what a fantastic opportunity. More please!
Photographers Comment
Thank you so much for choosing both my pictures for the mark of excellence award and my congratulations for the winner for his outstanding documentation and to the other participants. My name is Johnny Krüger and I come from Germany. Here it shows a lynx mother with its cub.. the cubs were very mobile and let mommy get nervous. Nevertheless we had to wait several hours for this beautiful moment although we knew exactly where the Lynxes are.. that is what our passion is all about ;o). My dear Friend Stefan Betz also has a "mark of excellence" picture here in this competition (the doe and it's fawn) and what is greater than to share these great experiences with a friend? This picture was made in the Wildlife sanctuary park of Pforzheim where Stefan and I are making the new annual calendar for next year. Shot with a Canon 1D mk3 and a Canon 300/2.8
www.pfotograf.info

Judges Comment
So sweet! It is the snow which makes this common subject unusual and shows us once again that great wildlife shots can also be taken in the garden. Shame the crop is a bit tight for this view, though having said that a really tight composition, would have shown off the snow on its face even more…
Photographers Comment
Thanks for recognition. Used Panasonic DMC- 150, which before the LX-7 was the favorite small profile/sensor-Leica lens combo for many years at the turn of the century. Shot in backyard at 160th sec at 5.6, at 160 asa. I was lucky to catch both snow standing still, and Squirrel pre-occupied with eating. James Dennis Kelley

Judges Comment
Here is the capture and story of a lovely encounter between the curious and the tolerant. It is a beautiful and amusing photo. I love the back lighting and the very short depth of field which adds force to the composition. Nice work.
Photographers Comment
My name is Steve Davis and I am a professional sports & wildlife photographer from Onalaska, WI. This image was taken last October while archery hunting from a ground blind in WI. The curious fox squirrel was photographed with a Canon 1DX body and a Canon 400/2.8L Series II lens at 800/sec wide open at F/2.8 @ ISO 400
www.aperturebystevedavis.com

Judges Comment
An interesting mix of focus and long exposure bring the subject slithering to life. The wide angled view puts the snake in its environment, the black and white makes it fearsome. Brave shot !

Judges Comment
A nicely pictured and endearing moment between this doe and its fawn in a pool of beautiful light. The low angle takes us into the baby deer’s world.
Photographers Comment
Stefan Betz, Germany. I took this picture at the Wildpark Pforzheim. It was early morning and moment was so wonderful, that I had to take my camera and keep this moment. More pics and informations about an upcoming calender together with Johnny Krüger (who has to 2 pics in this competition, the cheetah and the lynx/bobcat) on my homepage.
www.betz-naturfoto.de

Judges Comment
“Super-rabbit”. A firm favourite and a difficult shot to master. The subject is well placed within the frame giving a real sense of speed but also an important view of this animal’s habitat. Well done for this amusing and rare pan shot.
Photographers Comment
This photo was taken in Co. Tipperary, in southern Ireland where I live. I was actually out photographing birds when I noticed some movement in the field in front of me and quickly trained my camera on the rabbit as he ran across my field of view. I panned and took 3 shots. This was the best of them as it shows him in full flight. It was taken with a Canon 7D with a 70-200mm lens. Post processed in Lightroom. My name is John Crowley and I'm delighted to receive a Mark of Excellence.
www.crowleyphoto.com

Judges Comment
Here is a wonderful atmosphere and a very bold long exposure of this resting python. The beautiful colours and jungle atmosphere make this a favourite. The moving water cleverly detaches the static snake and its tree trunk from the background. Nice work.