Birds

The Dalmatian Pelican is a well photographed species, which requires a unique image to stand out from the rest of the pack. This is certainly one of those images as it is creates impact on many levels. Beyond the technical or exposure elements, this photo contains excellent color harmony, action, and a sense of place or surrounding. A true winner!

This Water Rail image is both simplistic and beautiful at the same time. Having an opportunity to photograph any rail such as this out in the open must be very satisfying. Placing the bird and its reflection in equal halves of the frame works well. Further, the inclusion of some vegetation also balances the composition nicely.

Sometimes a dynamic moment or a split second of action can make such a powerful statement. Getting a solid image of even one Northern Gannet capturing a fish like this would be an accomplishment, let alone two individuals simultaneously struggling for it. Chaos reigns here and it's supreme.

I just love the leading line in this particular composition. The soft colors and wide perspective also add exponentially to the image. Every great photo should tell some sort of story and there is definitely one to be had here with these Emperor Penguins.

A pleasing light and fiery background combined with action make this Brown Pelican image stand out. The rim lighting around the wing feathers adds emphasis to the shape and size of the bird as it launches out of the water in the viewer's direction.

Talk about an action sequence! Capturing a moment like this in such good light is a rare happening and one to be very proud of. Female raptors can typically take larger prey, which is evident here as the snipe appears proportionate to her size.

As soon as I saw this image, it reminded me of a painting. I really enjoy the interaction between the Kestrel pair that's captured here. The food exchange displays the reality of nature to the viewer, but not in a harsh way. Also, the background colors complement the birds very well.

At times, general rules are meant to be broken and this is a perfect example. A centered approach to the composition of this feeding Coronet hummingbird just works perfectly. For me, this capture is about both the shapes and symmetry. The colors are also fantastic.

This image is all about the symmetry when I view it. Everything about each bird's positioning gives the viewer an impression that both on the same wavelength. Obtaining an image such as this can be difficult since it requires enough depth of field to render both subjects sharp while also maintaining an out of focus and pleasing background.

This is such a serene scene and what a serendipitous moment to capture for the photographer. Although common, Mute Swans are graceful birds that tend to add feelings of peace in certain settings, such as this one. Sometimes it's not all about the planning and anticipation, but rather the moment.