Birds of Prey

The use of motion blur in wildlife photography can be a hit or miss affair but I think the secret is having the desire to just experiment. Get it right as Simon has done here of this Eagle Owl in flight, together with his low perspective and we have a winning combination. It’s a high risk, high reward strategy in which a slower shutter speed of around 1/125 second hits that perfect balance to blur the movement of the wings, whilst freezing the intense gaze of his subject as it rapidly approaches head on. Harsh light is never easy to contend with but Simon’s choice of crop, offsetting his subject works particularly well to reveal a very distinct composition that conveys something of the energy, pace and movement of this raptor as its captured in flight. Like they say, fortune favours the brave.

The Peregrine Falcon is a precision hunter but perhaps best known for its sheer pace and agility in flight. Chris’s incredible image captures that behaviour in this split second encounter taken on the Falkland Islands. A remarkable achievement which again provides real insight in to the behaviour of this ubiquitous predator as it clasps this hapless Snipe, snatched from the shoreline. Chris has chosen to position his subject left of frame which works well here, although I would have been tempted to widen the crop to accentuate the speed and movement of his subject. We can also see some ‘blue fringing’ along the leading edge of the wings, easily resolved by reducing the overall levels of sharpness and clarity which have been ‘boosted’ in post. Nonetheless, this doesn’t detract from an otherwise outstanding image of this awe inspiring encounter which Chris has captured with incredible skill and precision.

Nature is all around us and Andrew’s fleeting encounter with this female Sparrowhawk spotted on his neighbour’s shed reveals the magic that unfolds literally on our doorstep. Sometimes we just need to look at things with a fresh pair of eyes to see it; and that’s precisely what Andrew has done here in his engaging composition that provides an insight in to the behaviour of this agile garden predator. A heavy fall of snow completes the scene and whilst focus is a little soft on his subject it nonetheless is an incredible moment, keenly observed.

There can be little doubt that judging in this competition has been a tough call as the standard of entries has been particularly high; but Andy’s compelling composition of this Barn Owl really shone out. Positioned centrally within frame and resisting the temptation to crop tightly; it's a sensitive and evocative study which skilfully captures the complex relationship between his subject and surrounding habitat. Cool tones, muted colours and contrasting textures reveal an ethereal scene that fames this silent hunter in a story somewhat reminiscent of a “Brothers Grimm” fairytale. It is an utterly beguiling narrative that teases the imagination, resonates with the soul and whispered gently in my proverbial ear…. “I’m something very special”. An outstanding image and deserving winner in my top ten selection.

The warmth of the morning light takes hold and washes through Luc’s enchanting composition of this Short Eared Owl captured along the Scheldt estuary in Antwerp. I’ve lost count of the hours I’ve trekked along the Cambridgeshire fens in search of this elusive raptor; and to capture that precise moment with such considered precision as Luc has done here takes time, patience and moreover an intimate understanding of the behaviour of your subject. As is so often the case it's the soft warm tones of the low prevailing light together with Luc’s choice of a wide crop which works so well here. That relationship between his subject offset, bottom right tentatively at rest within a delicate lattice of branches leading the eye into frame is seamless. An absolute “wall hanger” of a composition which is totally at ease with itself.

There’s a certain majesty captured in this dramatic image of a bald eagle as it comes to rest on this weather-beaten tree stump. Wings extended and talons splayed; the photographer’s sense of timing and observation hits the sweet spot to reveal a compelling moment which belies the temperament of this iconic predator. Anticipating behaviours and gauging your timing isn’t easy as there’s no ‘one size fits all’ approach in wildlife photography.  Nonetheless it's a fleeting moment captured with incredible precision set against a back-drop of cool tones and the whisper of falling snow. A subtle yet utterly engaging mix which resonates in the mind.

Jill’s striking composition of this Great Grey Owl as it takes to flight in the depths of winter hits a high note. I can only imagine what must have been racing through her mind during this jaw dropping encounter as personally I would have gone into cardiac arrest due to sensory overload. Nonetheless Jill held her nerve to achieve critical focus on her subject’s eyes with a shallow depth of field that falls softly to reveal a subtle weave of thickets and branches. A muted palette, diffused light and gentle relief of textures evoke a magical winter scene of an incredible bird in its native habitat. It's a winning combination that shines out brightly.

Ever get that feeling you’re being watched? Sharran’s enchanting image of this Long-Eared Owl effortlessly pulls you into frame in which I find myself transfixed by that piercing gaze of her subject. I’m always fascinated to discover the story behind an image, and it’s difficult to tell whether this was a ‘captive’ or indeed a wild owl. Either way it’s a wonderful composition taken from a very low perspective that really pulls on this connection whereby we’re invited to take a closer, more intimate look. Sharran’s choice of crop and positioning of her subject is a delight and works so well here.  Together with the subtle relief of moss, intricate feather detail and a rich, dark background thrown out of focus; we find ourselves within an evocative scene which simply put, struck an emotional chord.

A tender moment is captured by Alex here using a very shallow depth of field to isolate his subject, rendering the background to a sublime wash of muted hues and colour. There is a sense of intimacy captured in his composition which I find irresistible; and this is a consistent theme which underlies Alex’s work having submitted several entries in this competition. It’s his ability to read, understand, connect and ultimately realise his imagination in that fleeting moment captured within frame that’s so distinct. This is perhaps a broader reflection of his style and approach as Alex is a storyteller; and it’s what he reveals about his subject that invites us to take a closer look...to see things from a slightly different perspective. A stunning composition and a technical tour de force.

I was immediately drawn to Jacques’ stripped back image of this osprey as it comes in to land on Blue Cypress Lake in Florida. There’s an elegant simplicity which undoubtedly has benefitted from Jacques’ choice to convert his image to monochrome. I think there’s always the risk you can lose a certain sense of realism and often it simply doesn't work; but this is a strong, clean image which particularly lends itself to this technique in which line, flow, shape and texture rise to the fore. A wonderful study that is keenly observed to reveal a very compelling composition.

To fully appreciate Sara’s understated yet utterly beguiling study of this Andean Condor it’s perhaps best viewed on a high resolution screen. It’s quite astounding and the strong graphic element of her composition is somewhat reminiscent of Tim Flach’s renowned ‘Endangered’ series, whose work I greatly admire. There were countless images submitted in this competition, tightly cropped of a similar style; but Sara’s composition just ‘sticks’ because it has that unique quality or essence that reveals so much more about her subject which propels it to a wholly different level. Yes it’s subjective; but the subtle relief of texture, colour, tone and light framed against that jet black background is simply sublime.

There’s little doubt a huge part of the enduring appeal of wildlife photography is to expect the unexpected. That’s precisely what happened here when Jacqui encountered this Bald Eagle as it rapidly approached at ground level that quite literally left her, ‘breathless’. It’s a feeling that many of us can relate to in which that fleeting or transitory moment remains imprinted on the mind, never to be forgotten. There’s a wonderful sense of symmetry I really like in Jacqui’s composition. A comparatively shallow depth of field isolates her subject positioned centrally in frame, but retains sufficient detail of the foreground elements to provide some context of habitat and movement. A fast shutter speed freezes the action and I’m amazed just how clean this image is given Jacqui really did push the ISO. Testament perhaps to the Canon R3 when used in capable hands. What this reveals is a throughly compelling composition which in Jacqui's own words; captures the “power, intensity and beauty” arising from this most remarkable encounter. Such is the wonder and benevolence of nature that truly touches the soul.