Bird Photo Competition 3 2016 : Results

Competition Winner : First Prize
$844.40

Judges Comment
In bird photography - as in many other branches of photography - opportunities for competition-winning shots can be presented with only a second's notice. Having the awareness to recognise these moments and the speed and composure to make the most of them are capabilities that can be developed. There will always be an element of luck involved in shots like this - not least the perfect pose struck by the frog in the pelican's bill - but the photographer's 'eye' and responsiveness in this case have clearly delivered success where most would have failed.
Photographers Comment
Happy and Proud, thank you to the Judge, especially to Mike that you have chosen my Picture, there are so many great Pics in this Competition. A big thank you also for the great comment! My Name is Friedhelm Peters and I live in a small Town called Coesfeld ( Germany ) I am a Hobby Photographer who love to make Pictures, the photograph is a good counterweight to my job( working in a Hospital ). I shot this Picture in the Allwetterzoo Münster with my Pentax K3 and the Pentax DA*300 f4 + HD Pentax-DA AF-Konverter 1,4x AW. I saw the Bird playing with something, I thought it was a Fish lay down and shot and shot and... when I finished I saw this on my Display I was very happy captured this unique moment. Proceed the RAW File with LR5 and after that I used Color Efex Pro 4. If you want you can find me here https://www.facebook.com/friedhelm.peters https://www.artflakes.com/de/shop/friedhelmpeters and on my 500px Account.
https://500px.com/friedhelmpeters

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
An unusual moment captured at eye level as this blackbird mobs - or apparently rides on - this heron's back.
Photographers Comment
Thank you so much for the Mark of Excellence! The photo was taken at Lake Hodges in San Diego, California with Canon 70D and Canon 100-400 lens. It was fascinating to watch the Red-winged black bird chase this Great Blue Heron away from a possible nest. My name is Krisztina Scheeff and I am a wildlife and nature photographer based out of Southern California.
www.KSNaturePhotography.com

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
Only half a dozen 'brush strokes' of golden rim lighting allow the form of these gannets to be picked out from the black canvas. A bold and effective composition.
Photographers Comment
Thanks a lot for the Mark Of Excellence I'm very honored ;o) My name is Vinni Bruhn I am a naturephotographer from Denmark. The picture of the gannets were captured on Helgoland in 2015. I have used a Canon 1DX together with a Canon 300mm. f/2,8. ISO:400, f/8, 1/6400
vinnibruhnphotography.zenfolio.com/

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
Colony shots are always a good way to capture interest, but shooting into the light like this also adds real atmosphere.
Photographers Comment
My name is Rob Gubiani and I am an amateur photographer currently residing in the United Arab Emirates. The above photo was shot on Siniya Island and is one of the last refuges for the Endangered Socotra Cormorant. This species is only found within the Arabian Gulf and has been devastated by development, habitat loss, hunting and negative publicity. These charismatic birds form large breeding colonies in the middle of summer (temperatures generally reach above 55 degrees) with Siniya island being one of the largest. I shot this photo just before sunset and like how it shows the colony as it prepares for dusk. More of my work can be seen at www.robgubiani.com Camera details: Canon 60D, Canon 100-400L, F9, 1/1,250, ISO 400.
www.robgubiani.com

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
Glorious light and backdrop plus great timing as these Pelicans touch down.
Photographers Comment
The shot was taken in northern Greece, at Lake Kerkini. Canon 5D mark III with Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 II USM, settings at M and 1/1250 at f/4.0 and ISO400. Yes, a cirl.pol filter was also used.
ruzdiekenheim.500px.com

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
Tight cropping gives an intimate feel to this capture of a grebe chick being presented with food.

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
A natural spectacle well captured as this bird flock obscures the whole landscape.

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
This 'stack' of gulls in flight gives a great sense of depth and perspective.
Photographers Comment
My name is Karen Kolbeck, and I am a nature photografer from Denmark. Thank You so much for the Mark of excellence - I am very honored and humble. This picture was shot in Norway at Ole Martin Dahle's eagle paradise. I love the funny and beautiful seagulls following us and the boat in the search of eagles. This picture was shot with Canon EOS 7 D and a Carl Zeiss 3,5/18. Post precessed in Photoshop - cut into a suitable shape, a bit of sharpening and reduction of noise.