Wildlife Photo Competition 4 2020 : Results

Judges Comment
Well just how cute can these get? Here is a charming shot looking right in through the front door. The setting is wild and homely, the occupants (who look like wood mice to a non specialist me) are so curious with light in their eyes. No doubt the result of a lot of work and patience but you have seized this so well. It is an enchanting and rare photograph, you scoop the prize, congratulations!
Photographers Comment
I am very happy to be the winner this time! Many thanks to the judge, also for your kind comment, much appreciated! These animals are indeed wood mice who live in a forest, inside an old dead tree. On the left side you see the male and on the right the female, they recently became parents, which was a surprise for me as I didn't know that wood mice also breed during winter. This shot was taken with a Canon 90D + 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM. Again, many thanks!

Judges Comment
The snowy atmosphere brings so much to this photograph, the handsome stag, separated from the herd by the falling snow’s misty effect, stands out so well, the background fading away into white. It is a great wild looking location too, well done.
Photographers Comment
Thanks much for the honor. :) This photo was taken in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado on a rare September snow day in 2020. The bull elk was making sure no other male was getting near 'his' females, and that no females were straying too far for his comfort. Shot taken with a Sony A9 and 24-105 lens, f/9, ISO 1000, 1/500 second.
https://www.judiphotography.com

Judges Comment
A beautiful vixen out hunting in the snow with her winter coat looking so healthy and smart. I love the soft contrast and colours, the real wild, the snow… Cracking shot well done!

Judges Comment
This is stunning! Fish crossing the road, whatever next? Congratulations for this unique photograph.
Photographers Comment
Thank you for counting my photograph among the finalists! I took this photo while working as the photographer on a project along the Gulf Coast in the southern U.S. We were looking into how the disappearance of the land composing the Mississippi Delta affects the environment and the people who rely on the on a healthy ecosystem to make their living. While driving out to the submerging homes of the first 'climate refugees' in the United States, we had to cross this Island Road that is steadily being engulfed by the sea. The land and marsh that once surrounded the road is almost entirely underwater, and the road becomes partially submerged at high tide as the land sinks, and sea levels rise. If anyone would like to explore this topic further or check out the project go to https://voicesofaflyway.com/explore/ to listen to a 7 part podcast or view the Story Maps to go on a journey up the Mississippi Flyway with migrating birds, and the people who live there.
tylermcclurephotography.com

Judges Comment
Lovely soft light and perfect focus make this lip-licking good. Mother doe and her kid, who is growing his first set of antlers, keep an eye (and an ear) on the surroundings as they suspect you are there…Lovely real feel, well done indeed.
Photographers Comment
Thanks a lot for the mark of Exelence. My name is Vinni and I live in Denmark. The roedeer and her kid was captured in my backyard, from a small hide. Taken with a Canon 1DX II and Canon 300 mm. f/2,8
https://vinnibruhnphotography.zenfolio.com/

Judges Comment
Well here is a story with different endings, one of which looks better for the mantis. It is also a nice familiar green scene with lovely exposure.
Photographers Comment
Susanne Wunn from Sonsbeck/Germany Thank you very much for the Mark of Excellence! Took this photo with lucky ending for the grasshopper in the Sierra de Gredos /Spain with Nikon D800E.

Judges Comment
Another roe deer doe and kid, less popular among the crops, this time looking like they are about to flee. The tones and colours are beautiful, your photo has a lovely soft light and striking sharpness.

Judges Comment
Colourful autumn light paints the background, a truly northern wilderness of heather and pine, a beautiful environment for such a handsome and impressive beast, and for this photograph. I reckon it’s time to back off :-)

Judges Comment
This was definitely a round for the cervidae family. This time these two curious explorers have come into the back yard to get at that nice grass. It is a lovely image showing how close together we live with our wilder neighbours. But there is also a story of chopped down trees from the forest and these two coming round to see just why…

Judges Comment
An extraordinary encounter and a photograph that brings a famous shot by Jim Brandenburg to mind. The eye is so prominent in your frame thanks to some thoughtful post processing but the sharpest focus should really have been right on it. It seems that your autofocus caught the birch trunk instead, stealing the center stage from that piercing eye. Great effort, perfect wolf conditions, and no doubt a life-long souvenir.