Wildlife Photo Competition 5 2013 : Results

Judges Comment
This is a stunning and rare shot of a hunting sailfish. The composition leaves plenty space around the subject and the shoal of fish it is pursuing, giving a real impression of vast blue depths and a wonderful open sea atmosphere. The slanting sunlight catches the sailfish perfectly, saturating its fabulous colours and setting it apart from the deep blue background. Great photo and a magnificent encounter. Well done, you deserve this top spot!
Photographers Comment
The photo was taken about 30-40 miles off the coast of Cancun, Mexico. Every year sailfish gather to feast on sardines. In order to get the photo you look for birds diving, then jump in the water and swim as fst as posible to keep up with the baitball of sardines trying to escape the sailfish

Judges Comment
I think this is an Asian vine snake. It is in any case a very striking shot... You have captured the light beautifully, the snake's head framed in the middle of the light background gives him great presence and sets off his very unusual horizontal keyhole shaped pupil. I love the mix of dark and light thirds which make the composition so pleasing. Nice sharp work, well done.
Photographers Comment
Thanks for the Mark ;) Picture is from my trip to Borneo, captured by D700 + Sigma 150/2,8 OS. Edited in Lightroom :)
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Judges Comment
Here is another amazing underwater shot and a wonderful rare encounter between man and whale. The capture is perfectly exposed and well composed. The surface of the sea is beautiful from below and its rough reflecting texture compliments the calm blue of the deep. Fabulous photograph and an amazing encounter.

Judges Comment
Great. There is so much going on here! Lovely sharp all over focus keeps the eye wandering from sea lion to sea lion, then there are cormorants, and more cormorants, and a herring gull... I wonder where you are standing. This is also a very interesting illustration of nature's resistance and adaptation in the face of man's endless advance. Nice work.
Photographers Comment
This was taken in Monterey, California at the end of the Coast Guard Pier early in the morning just after sunrise. The camera was a Canon SD100 and post processing in Lightroom.

Judges Comment
Well here is this round's action shot. An exciting, fast moving and tricky subject. Perhaps the focus is slightly too far back along the Dolphin's body but it is near perfect... I find the HDR effect on the water a little unnatural, dampening down the sharp, natural, sparkly contrast. Dolphins make exciting and endearing subjects, if you get the chance to return you'll maybe get a winner.
Photographers Comment
Gerry Shappell Shot off the waters of Sanibel Island, Fl Canon 450d with 18-55mm Post Processing with CS5
500px.com/GerryS

Judges Comment
This is a beautiful picture of a young mule deer. You have captured its curious character very well. Nice composition with an empty half for the fawn to look into, and a real feel of the wild. Definitely a favourite with a big "aww" factor but it is perhaps missing a little something magic to beat the competition.
Photographers Comment
Zion National Park October 2013. I had the pleasure of spending time with a family of these lovely creatures. There seemed to be distress with one of the adults...she was sick or just frail and it almost seemed like the 2 little ones were caring for her and trying to protect her. The buck was absent most of the time but he showed up now and then. This was early morning with challenging light iand I was shooting mostly open at 2.8 with my 300 prime...my favorite lens. These gentle deer captured my heart on this morning. I'm grateful to have some images to remember my experience and also share it.

Judges Comment
A wonderful giraffe portrait from an unusual point of view, it is nicely framed and well spotted. The wide angle gives giraffe great height and creates a fun image, sure to bring a smile to any viewer. Nice humorous shot, well done.
Photographers Comment
Michael Bird. I'm honored by the recognition. Photo was taken from a catwalk along the exhibit terrain at the Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek, MI, where patrons can touch and feed the giraffes. I held my camera (Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1) out over his head to get the unique perspective. No editing, other than a crop, although it probably could've used some contrast and color adjustment.

Judges Comment
This is a lovely story and a very special photograph. A white-tailed fawn framed between its mother's protective legs for meal time. A story of vulnerability and of the strong doe/fawn relationship. Well done for getting in so close making this an interesting and original crop. You have framed the essential and boldly left out just enough to give the fawn all the importance.
Photographers Comment
Thomas Hessler. Thanks to the judges for their kind comments. I shot this pic at Reinstein Woods nature preserve in Cheektowaga NY. I used a Canon Sx-50 using a good portion of the 50 power optical zoom. I like AV mode and did not use/need a tripod thanks to the Image Stabilization of the camera. I'm convinced the deer pose for me!

Judges Comment
This is stunning. What an amazing hunter's glare, reinforced by its mottled reflection and pink tongue. Beautiful portrait of a beautiful leopard. You deservedly make it through this round.

Judges Comment
This is such a strong picture. The low angle, the piercing eye, the dark and the light, the clever short depth of field... Frightening shot. Were you up to your neck in the leach infested swamp to get this?