Crickets and Grasshoppers (in colour)

I find this image so wonderfully cheerful and dreamy. The yellow colour tones and soft, pastel background create this ethereal, almost fairytale-like atmosphere. And yet, it doesn't take our attention from the main subject- this lovely cricket peacefully observing the world below. I particularly appreciate how the light falls directly onto its body, making it glow as if illuminated from within. A beautifully composed and executed capture. Congratulations on being my runner-up!

This mage is so vibrant, dynamic and full of life. But what makes it particularly appealing is its excellent composition. The way you used the rule of thirds and leading lines naturally draws our eyes to the top of the leaf where the main focal point is. It's like going into a crescendo in music that this choir of grasshoppers would make together. And that makes me think of some warm summer days when we can just sit in nature and relax to their cheerful chirping. Lovely scene and beautifully captured. Congratulations on placing in my top ten!

This grasshopper looks like a real king in its flowery kingdom. I appreciate your choice of f/8 aperture, which helped to keep the entire insect in sharp focus, revealing all its incredible colours, textures, and patterns. The background is softened just enough to make the grasshopper stand out clearly, while still showing enough detail to give us a good sense of its natural habitat. I especially like how those wavy leaves and flowers create a sense of movement and liveliness to the composition. It makes the image look very natural. Congratulations on your top ten!

There were quite a few macros entered into this contest, but this one captivated me the most. I love the balance of softness yet excellent sharpness and clarity throughout the image. I also like the diagonal composition with perfectly parallel lines formed by the plant and the cricket's leg and antenna. What draws me the most though is the remarkable coloration on the cricket’s body - it's almost like a rainbow with those stunning purple eyes contrasting against the varying shades of green. An outstanding capture that showcase the artistry of nature in such great detail. Congratulations on placing in the top ten!

This dramatic image stands out from all others in the contest as the only one capturing a grasshopper in relation to its natural enemy. It's like a powerful reminder of how the nature can be simultaneously beautiful and brutal. Here, with remarkable clarity, you've documented the harsh reality of nature's food chain in action. The colour contrast and the composition are well balanced, with predator and prey creating visual tension across the frame. What makes this image particularly compelling though, is how it freezes a scene we rarely witness so clearly. It’s this precise moment when a grasshopper meets its fate in a spider's web, which you’ve captured with exceptional technical skill and visual sensitivity. Congratulations on your top ten!

An outstanding image that combines technical excellence with captivating subject matter. It’s perfectly showcasing the beauty and behaviour of these fascinating insects in their natural environment. I love the clarity and vibrant colours of this capture. The plain green background creates excellent separation, allowing us to appreciate the extraordinary forms and patterns of the grasshoppers in great detail. This image is all about beauty and harmony of nature. A real pleasure to the eye. Well done and congratulations on your win!