Wildlife Photo Competition 4 2013 : Results

Judges Comment
The green leaves along with the red and black background really show off this red eyed tree frog's amazing colours. You have given him plenty space allowing for an airy composition, nice space to the right for frog to gaze into, strong lines and saturated rainforest colours... The short depth of field gives the subject really sharp focus bringing him all the attention he deserves. Lovely photograph, well done and worthy winner of this round !
Photographers Comment
Photographer: (Don Zwicker) Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. I made this image on a trip to Costa Rica in September 2013. I used a Nikon D3S, Tamron 90mm macro, ISO 1600, 1/180, f 3.3 Post processing with LR.

Judges Comment
A rare shot of badger in daylight, a ground level artistic composition and a lovely wild atmosphere make this photograph. I suspect this is taken with a remote camera; such a wide angled and close range shot is very original and pretty rare. Great use of space, badger is boldly placed high in the picture, the leaves and the mossy foreground bring a lovely balance. You have researched your subject well and planned it shrewdly rewarding yourself with this fabulous result. Great work, well done !
Photographers Comment
Thank you for another mark of excellence in this competition. This badger is a lovely young lady and loves to play in the sun. She is tame and lives in habitat for the moment. Shot taken with 5dMk II and 17-40 and 580EX flash.
www.betz-naturfoto.de

Judges Comment
Once again a lovely low angle for this shot showing us so little of the bear yet so much about its habitat and wandering lifestyle. The short depth of field makes the picture strong, drawing our attention to that well placed bare-bear foot and highlighting the drops of rain. It is a great shot and a nice fresh approach to this theme.
Photographers Comment
Thanks for this mark of excellence. I took this picture in Khutzeymateen bear sancturary (close to Prince Rupert, Canada), one of the best place - I think - to observe bears, and with in mind the work of Vincent Munier (well known wildlife french photographer). For this picture, I used a Nikon D7100 and the new 80-400. Thanks again. Cyril Dhénin (Paris, France)
www.zoneapart.com/photoblog/

Judges Comment
This is a beautifully captured and rare shot of a wild boar in the snow. Looks like he’s in a hurry, you did well getting the focus right and this nice left/right composition considering the pressure of the moment ! Lovely soft light and a nice empty half add to the joy that this photograph brings. He is sooo sweet (from the safety of my desk) ! Congratulations, almost made that top spot.
Photographers Comment
I survived :-) Shot taken with 5DII, EF 600mm f4 and 580EX
www.betz-naturfoto.de

Judges Comment
Another mark of excellence for this wonderful fox in the snow. As for the previous wild boar the empty half brings strength to the subject. The low angled, soft sunlight really flatters fox’s glowing winter coat. He has a wonderfully mischievous look on his face and a sharp and cunning hunter’s glare. You have developed the picture nicely, subtle management in the digital darkroom keep the natural soft light so real. Well done.
Photographers Comment
Thank you for the feedback and the Mark Of Excellence! I shot this at Island Beach State Park located in Seaside Park, New Jersey. Every year I visit this park to photograph the wild foxes that live there. This was shot with a Canon 40D using the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens. I process my photos using Adobe Camera Raw in Photoshop CS5.
www.jessicakirste.com

Judges Comment
This is a stunning (though very sad) portrait. The low angle, the framing, the dark and the light. You have managed this so well, both the photo and its developing. The absolute grief and despair you have captured in this gorilla’s expression must suggest captivity and make us question (once again) the merits of keeping such intelligent species so cruelly “inside”.
Photographers Comment
Hello, my name is Kristyna and I am freelance graphic designer. Photography is "only" my passionate hobby. I took this picture in New York Zoo. It was quite interesting moment, this lady was hidden under the huge tree, she was very sad and looked thoughtful. Hard to say what worried her... It was taken with Canon 450D and Canon 70-200/4 lens. I would be very pleased, if you visit my portfolio at my web page or at my FB page: www.facebook.com/BrownLeopardPhotography Thank you, Kristyna
brown-leopard.com

Judges Comment
So wild ! With a nice through the bush feel. I guess, by his expression, that you had a surprise encounter with this handsome roe deer buck – you have done well getting such an alive, crisp shot. Nice.
Photographers Comment
My name is Kevin Nagelmüller. I am a photographer from Germany.
kevinnagelmueller.com

Judges Comment
A lovely palette of colours softened by the backlighting and divided up by the grassy lines give this butterfly a wonderfully natural stage. You have captured this beautifully, the sunlight contour really setting off your subject. Well done, a firm favourite.
Photographers Comment
My name is Kevin Nagelmüller. I am a photographer from Germany.
www.kevinnagelmueller.com

Judges Comment
Red and black are so powerful when combined... A well spotted image with strong contrast and a nice amusing side. Did you put the crabs here?
Photographers Comment
Thanks for the Mark of Excellence. No, I didn't put the crabs here, they're in their natural setting. This photo was taken at the Galapagos Islands on Santa Cruz. This volcanic rock can be found all over and surrounding the islands, as well as the red lava crabs themselves. This was shot with the original Canon 5D and a 24-105 f/4L lens.
www.mattjohnrobinson.com

Judges Comment
So colourful ! I love this graphic composition where the lizard hangs down into the empty space. The shady conditions bring high saturation to these tropical colours and you have used the plant nicely to create a graphical image and show us where this lizard hangs out. Nice, well done.
Photographers Comment
Aloha! I was in Foster Botanical Garden in Honolulu, focusing in on the heliconia, when suddenly it moved. I rubbed my eyes. Looked again. Sure enough, there he was, hanging like a little trapeze artist, showing off. I used my Canon t4i with a 100mm macro lens to immortalize my little gecko friend. Mahalo for the recognition. What an honor!
www.flickr.com/photos/jademoon1/