Eagles

Crowning the top 10 and the commended images was not a task for the faint-hearted! It was quite difficult to pick out the most deserving, beautiful, compelling top 10. and those I commended. They are all winners in my book! This first place, compelling image of two eagles with entangled wings and talons, shows that the maker has an eye for a story, has great technical skill and has an artistic flair. The image certainly was technically tricky. The entire color palate of blue, brown, yellow and white is stunning. The impact is outstanding. It has no design, composition or technical faults and is equal to the best eagle photos I have ever seen.

There were so many wonderful, well-executed eagle head images in this contest! I kept coming back to this one of a young bateleur eagle which reminds me of a masterful human fashion model portrait. The quality of light, the rich browns of the feathers and piercing eye make this image resonate with me. Congratulations are in order!.

This photo has great light, color and stunning impact. The eagle's eye seems to stare right at me and contrasts with the desperate-looking eye of the dead fox. The colors of the soft background work well with the tack sharp browns and red-oranges of the eagle and fox and the white snow. All the elements are here to make for a wonderful, impactful image.

The pose of this bird and the wonderful dreamy habitat make for a winning composition. One can tell this bird has just discovered something, perhaps a mouse. The curve of the head and body and spread wings makes this photo so compelling. The background light behind the bird, the white flowers, the lovely yellows, browns and dark greens play so well together. Thank you for entering this contest with this unique photo.

I kept coming back to this photo of this Steller's sea eagle having lunch. He looks like a little old man with his arms behind his back and I wonder if it would do well in a contest for comical wildlife.

The capture of this unique pose and behavior certainly resonates. It is really a tricky shot to execute and resonates with me. The blue of the sky and browns and white of this powerful bird play well together. Thank you , maker, for entering this photo.

What a spectacle to see these two eagles in combat! As the title of this photo suggests, it is a fight about pecking order. The upper bird which might be a juvenile seems to be screaming about the vicious surprise attack of the larger bird below him. I hope the blood on the lower bird's beak is not from the upper bird but from the prey it is possibly defending. Congratulations on this impressive capture.