The timing of this capture is flawless, the moment of a food transfer perfectly frozen in time. The adult hoopoe is a particularly dynamic subject which pops in this stark black and white image. I think the image is balanced well between the texture of the wood and the space the adult is suspended in, with no distracting branches in the way. This is a lovely storytelling piece of a very charismatic bird nurturing his or her young.
The angle of this capture really works for me, I feel like I am viewing the subject from the perspective of a fellow penguin. I think this chick is a particularly dynamic example of its species- something about the transitional phase between child and adult and the awkwardness of sub adulthood is universally understandable whether you are bird or man. The down feathers lifting off the bird's shoulders really drew me into the image, as well as the piercing eye, and then finally to the well balanced family of penguins in the background, posed perfectly. A very lovely piece of art in my opinion!
From a distance, this image could be mistaken for an abstract painting. The density of bird life pictured here is astonishing. I really like that there is absolutely no negative space, only the chaos of feathers and bills and legs. This is a great example of showcasing your wildlife subjects in a way that translates their unique behavioral traits to the viewer. A true marvel of nature. This photograph is quite lovely to me- somehow both balanced and chaotic. A great candidate for a beautiful high contrast black and white piece!
A beautiful portrait of a beautiful bird. I particularly love the rendering of the texture of his feathers- which are surprisingly fine and tightly layered almost like bristly fur. The stark whites of the image are neatly balanced with the deep black of his captivating eye. That white stripe leads the viewer's eye to meet the eye of the subject. The wearing on the bill introduces a narrative of a lifetime of fishing in rough seas. I think the only editing change I would suggest is the faint glowing around the subject which I think is a bit distracting. Nevertheless, I love this portrait of such a unique charismatic animal.
I may be a bit biased here as goshawks are one of my very favorite animals on the planet. But this image stunned me- as I know from experience how difficult they can be as a subject. The ethereal glow of the background really makes the head of this bird pop, a bright eye contrasted against the black stripe and cap- with such a palpable intensity that is so typical of accipiters. Being on eye level with your subject is so important and especially powerful when your subject has such a huge personality in a small body. This to me is a very effective work of portraiture that captures the essence of the species well.
To me, so much about wildlife photography is being in the right place at the right time to capture moments like this, unrepeatable and so incredibly special. The lines of the gannet's bill lead straight to the feather, the focal point of the image, stark white against a calm dark background. I love the symmetry of this piece and the emotions it evokes- it is as funny as it is beautiful, such a gorgeous and elegant bird poised with a delicate offering. It is great that the image maintains eye contact with the subject as well!
This piece is a delight of various textures, with so many complimenting shapes and angles to go along with it. I love the dynamic shape of the giant bill slashing through the composition, with the rest of the piece falling into a dark background. The balance of this I find very complimentary to your subject- as well as the bold contrast of black and white. There were many great pelican images in this competition but none I found as alluring as this one, a great example of effective portraiture of a unique subject.
To me, the droplets of water frozen in the air against the dark background really elevate the image by adding a sense of motion. The pintail's namesake tail, as well, is poised perfectly, showing off the defining characteristics of the species. The dark water and dark background are very complimentary to your subject matter and I love the gentle twist of the bird's graceful neck. All around such a gorgeous image.
I think what really sets this capture apart from similar heron images is the flurry of feathers and debris freezing the motion of the moment. I love the limply draped fish, with an almost stunned look on its face, and the fluid motion which draws the eye across the subject's body to the prize. This is a very dynamic capture of a heron and one that can be quite difficult to nail, clearly persistence paid off here for both the bird and the photographer!
This image is a stark reminder of the diversity of bird life and their ancient theropod roots. It truly looks like the limbs of a velociraptor. I love the composition of this piece which draws your eyes down to those deadly claws, the texture of the scaled feet, and the dramatic contrast of the image. A great example of how you don't necessarily need a portrait of an entire animal's body to showcase their beauty and power.
Gannets have to be one of the most spectacular birds on the planet. They are a truly captivating animal that are very photogenic- but rarely do I see images that capture their full immense size and powerful presence as this one does. The moody clouds in the background allow the highlights on the bird to really pop. I think this image is very complimentary to the subject, almost appearing as a dragon about to land. Those wings are absolutely vast. And the symmetry here I also love.
Waterfowl are some of the most diverse and beautiful bird life, each with their own unique and beautiful bold characteristics and breeding behaviors. Yet, I find that it can be quite difficult to capture them in a way that effectively shows off their beauty and individuality, and this image does just that. The dramatic posture of this goldeneye is quite eye catching, and the composition is simply beautiful eye level against the flat, calm water. I find myself drawn to the texture of the beak in particular, as well as that intense eye. A distinct, peculiar portrait that stands out from the rest.
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Monochrome bird photography is our theme for this contest, and for many that removes one of the most characteristic and cherished features of birds - their colourful markings. As ever with black and white imagery there is a greater emphasis then on the form of the subject and their surroundings, and the subtler changes in the grayscale tonal shades. Some monochrome toning is permitted, as are images of any kind of bird, exhibiting any kind of behaviour.
Murmurations are one of the most fascinating behaviors of bird life, starlings in particular. This evolved defense mechanism is as beautiful as it is strategic, art in motion in the sky. I really like the simplicity of this image and I find it to be an effective portrayal of one of the most amazing traits of this species. Nature's spectacular artwork, translated by a skilled photographer into an almost abstract piece of wildlife photography.
This scene is absolutely breathtaking. A beautiful example of a habitat shot and a lovely utilization of black and white. The cascades of water dwarf the fulmar- which is a stunning bird up close- yet I feel like this piece showcases more of this species' unique livelihoods than a portrait would. A gorgeous image all around.
