Mammals in the wild

Thank you for entering the Mammals in the Wild contest!

This was a VERY hard contest to judge, there wer so many great images to choose from.

When I judge, I pick the images that catch my eye, and put them all in a big folder. Then, when the contest ends, I pick my top ten. Usually a top 15 or 20! I whittle that doen to ten, and sometimes move pieces in and out until I fel I have not just a good top ten, but a range of images that show great techniques, above average skill and something special that makes them stand above the others.

So your image made the first cut, but not the cut to top ten. That does not meran your image is not good.... in fact, you were in my batch of images to consider.

It just means that another image got the slot over yours. It could be I already had an image of a whale or a fox, and I diod not want too many of that animal. Or it could be I did not have my coffee yet. Or it could be I have bad taste!

Regardless, I do want you to know I saw something that excited me in your image. I think this piece shows something important, and itself srands above the rest!

I am very glad I got to see and judge this image. A wonderful moment caught here!

Thanks!

Dave Koch

I like to opick at least one B & W for my top ten in a conest. The problem is, many times people just do Black & WHite without a WHY to the process.

Sometimes it is done because of bad color... or becasue they dont know what to do with the color.

Rarely is B & W a well thought out choice rather than just something to do.

Here is an excpetion. I think here the process makes us look more at textrues. It helps cut through diotractions and lets us see the simplicity of an image, and the depth IN that simplicity.

As a lot of my other choices in this contest, this is about the eye. Most wild animals have eyes about the hunt, or about danger. I see lonliness here. I see melacholy...

I really love this image....

Thank you for entering the Mammals in the Wild contest, and I am very glad I got to see and judge this image. A wonderful moment caught here!

Dave Koch

Thank you for entering the Mammals in the Wild contest!

This was a VERY hard contest to judge, there wer so many great images to choose from.

When I judge, I pick the images that catch my eye, and put them all in a big folder. Then, when the contest ends, I pick my top ten. Usually a top 15 or 20! I whittle that doen to ten, and sometimes move pieces in and out until I fel I have not just a good top ten, but a range of images that show great techniques, above average skill and something special that makes them stand above the others.

So your image made the first cut, but not the cut to top ten. That does not meran your image is not good.... in fact, you were in my batch of images to consider.

It just means that another image got the slot over yours. It could be I already had an image of a whale or a fox, and I diod not want too many of that animal. Or it could be I did not have my coffee yet. Or it could be I have bad taste!

Regardless, I do want you to know I saw something that excited me in your image. I think this piece shows something important, and itself srands above the rest!

I am very glad I got to see and judge this image. A wonderful moment caught here!

Thanks!

Dave Koch

BTW, is this a composite? Doesnt matter to me, I just wanted to know....

Thank you for entering the Mammals in the Wild contest!

This was a VERY hard contest to judge, there wer so many great images to choose from.

When I judge, I pick the images that catch my eye, and put them all in a big folder. Then, when the contest ends, I pick my top ten. Usually a top 15 or 20! I whittle that doen to ten, and sometimes move pieces in and out until I fel I have not just a good top ten, but a range of images that show great techniques, above average skill and something special that makes them stand above the others.

So your image made the first cut, but not the cut to top ten. That does not meran your image is not good.... in fact, you were in my batch of images to consider.

It just means that another image got the slot over yours. It could be I already had an image of a whale or a fox, and I diod not want too many of that animal. Or it could be I did not have my coffee yet. Or it could be I have bad taste!

Regardless, I do want you to know I saw something that excited me in your image. I think this piece shows something important, and itself srands above the rest!

I am very glad I got to see and judge this image. A wonderful moment caught here!

Thanks!

Dave Koch

Like most of my picks for winners in this contest, this shows excellent use of shallow focus to the subject. In wildlife photography, sometimes that is the nature of the beast- dark forest floors, early mornings and not much light...

Here a shalower depth of field is the result of super fast shutter speeds. I doubt I need to tell you how important that is for THIS image. Catching- and FREEZING- those water droplets coming of Mr Whale here is what this image is all about!

While I am not dragging this image down, I do think evebn shallower would have worked better. Specifically, the wave breaking left behind the whale; white draws the eye, and takes me away from the subject. Blurring that, or even massaging it out all together would have kept my eye on the subject langer.

Also, I feel that this image could do with a bit more contrast.... but that is me. I do not mean over edit, just a slight hint more...

Refardless, a phenominal image of a great beast. Thank you for enteruing the Mammals in the Wild contest, and I am very glad I got to see and judge this image. A wonderful moment caught here!

Dave Koch

SOOOOOOOOOO much goping on here. And so much to LOVE!

The half-hidden head would no way work without your pinpopint focus on thay eye... and the super small depth of field.

To me, I am seeing something dangerous coming out of the darkness- well played. But the shallow depth of field emphesises that coming out of darkness, as it is also coming into focus... works SO WELL!

I will be honest, that technique is not something I had thought about before... so I learned something in this image. Good Show! :)

Your exposure is perfect.... and your settings look ideal for this capture. the D500 is a wonderful camera, I ahve one. I just LOVE it.

I also think the comp is great; that angle on the tiger is perfect. Outr slightly raised vantage point shows his length (and size!).

Just a beautiful, well made shot! Thank you for enteruing the Mammals in the Wild contest, and I am very glad I got to see and judge this image. A wonderful moment caught here!

Dave Koch

At first I thought they were killer whales- I bet that is a common mistake. I will go with dolphins though on trust... I seem to recall there is a dolphn that looks like a killer whale....

Regardless, this is about the coolest thing I have ever seen. I would not expect something like this, so this image isd a real suprise to me. And that, all by itself, makes this a winner shot! Show me something new, something unusual and something cool you will be in the winners circle in one of my contests!

And this you are! Thank you for entering the Mammals in the Wild contest, and I am very glad I got to see and judge this image. A wonderful moment caught here!

Dave Koch

Thank you for entering the Mammals in the Wild contest!

This was a VERY hard contest to judge, there wer so many great images to choose from.

When I judge, I pick the images that catch my eye, and put them all in a big folder. Then, when the contest ends, I pick my top ten. Usually a top 15 or 20! I whittle that doen to ten, and sometimes move pieces in and out until I fel I have not just a good top ten, but a range of images that show great techniques, above average skill and something special that makes them stand above the others.

So your image made the first cut, but not the cut to top ten. That does not meran your image is not good.... in fact, you were in my batch of images to consider.

It just means that another image got the slot over yours. It could be I already had an image of a whale or a fox, and I diod not want too many of that animal. Or it could be I did not have my coffee yet. Or it could be I have bad taste!

Regardless, I do want you to know I saw something that excited me in your image. I think this piece shows something important, and itself srands above the rest!

I am very glad I got to see and judge this image. A wonderful moment caught here!

Thanks!

Dave Koch

Thank you for entering the Mammals in the Wild contest!

This was a VERY hard contest to judge, there wer so many great images to choose from.

When I judge, I pick the images that catch my eye, and put them all in a big folder. Then, when the contest ends, I pick my top ten. Usually a top 15 or 20! I whittle that doen to ten, and sometimes move pieces in and out until I fel I have not just a good top ten, but a range of images that show great techniques, above average skill and something special that makes them stand above the others.

So your image made the first cut, but not the cut to top ten. That does not meran your image is not good.... in fact, you were in my batch of images to consider.

It just means that another image got the slot over yours. It could be I already had an image of a whale or a fox, and I diod not want too many of that animal. Or it could be I did not have my coffee yet. Or it could be I have bad taste!

Regardless, I do want you to know I saw something that excited me in your image. I think this piece shows something important, and itself srands above the rest!

I am very glad I got to see and judge this image. A wonderful moment caught here!

Thanks!

Dave Koch

Thank you for entering the Mammals in the Wild contest!

This was a VERY hard contest to judge, there wer so many great images to choose from.

When I judge, I pick the images that catch my eye, and put them all in a big folder. Then, when the contest ends, I pick my top ten. Usually a top 15 or 20! I whittle that doen to ten, and sometimes move pieces in and out until I fel I have not just a good top ten, but a range of images that show great techniques, above average skill and something special that makes them stand above the others.

So your image made the first cut, but not the cut to top ten. That does not meran your image is not good.... in fact, you were in my batch of images to consider.

It just means that another image got the slot over yours. It could be I already had an image of a whale or a fox, and I diod not want too many of that animal. Or it could be I did not have my coffee yet. Or it could be I have bad taste!

Regardless, I do want you to know I saw something that excited me in your image. I think this piece shows something important, and itself srands above the rest!

I am very glad I got to see and judge this image. A wonderful moment caught here!

Thanks!

Dave Koch

I think this image says a lot, and makes a great story in it. I surely would not want to be this close to a cat, but it sure makes the image.

The tree to the left makes a nice balancing point to th uimage. The drop off of focus and the crisp snow brngs our eye right where it needs to be. I think a slight bit of dodging on the cat and burning on the snow might have helped more, but it works well as is.

Very pretty image. Thank you for enteruing the Mammals in the Wild contest, and I am very glad I got to see and judge this image. A wonderful moment caught here!

Dave Koch

Just a great capture of a great moment. Not sure what I can add to this, the image speaks for itself.

You captured the action and the grit of a bear fight, something I would love to do someday. But you did, and did well. Thinking oin your feet in a fast moving situation (like this) is an imprtant skipp for a photographer, particuloarly a wildlife photographer...

( As an aside, I was hikling up the Zion Narrows early one morning, shooting landscapes. So I was set up as ISO 100, f/14 or so, and 1/2 a sec roughly. My wife says turn around, and there are 4 deer following us. I was NOT thinking, and lost the shot because deer do not stand still for 1/2 a sec. )

I am not sure what y0our situation was here, buit with a 500, I am guessing you were set up for this. 1/2000 is perfect for getting the spray, which helps make this image.

And I LOVE that sharp claw lower right! OW!!!!!

So wonderful image, ity makes me jealous! I am so glad you were able to get this, a great shot! Thank you for enteruing the Mammals in the Wild contest, and I am very glad I got to see and judge this image. A wonderful moment caught here!

Dave Koch

Thank you for entering the Mammals in the Wild contest!

This was a VERY hard contest to judge, there wer so many great images to choose from.

When I judge, I pick the images that catch my eye, and put them all in a big folder. Then, when the contest ends, I pick my top ten. Usually a top 15 or 20! I whittle that doen to ten, and sometimes move pieces in and out until I fel I have not just a good top ten, but a range of images that show great techniques, above average skill and something special that makes them stand above the others.

So your image made the first cut, but not the cut to top ten. That does not meran your image is not good.... in fact, you were in my batch of images to consider.

It just means that another image got the slot over yours. It could be I already had an image of a whale or a fox, and I diod not want too many of that animal. Or it could be I did not have my coffee yet. Or it could be I have bad taste!

Regardless, I do want you to know I saw something that excited me in your image. I think this piece shows something important, and itself srands above the rest!

I am very glad I got to see and judge this image. A wonderful moment caught here!

Thanks!

Dave Koch

Thank you for entering the Mammals in the Wild contest!

This was a VERY hard contest to judge, there wer so many great images to choose from.

When I judge, I pick the images that catch my eye, and put them all in a big folder. Then, when the contest ends, I pick my top ten. Usually a top 15 or 20! I whittle that doen to ten, and sometimes move pieces in and out until I fel I have not just a good top ten, but a range of images that show great techniques, above average skill and something special that makes them stand above the others.

So your image made the first cut, but not the cut to top ten. That does not meran your image is not good.... in fact, you were in my batch of images to consider.

It just means that another image got the slot over yours. It could be I already had an image of a whale or a fox, and I diod not want too many of that animal. Or it could be I did not have my coffee yet. Or it could be I have bad taste!

Regardless, I do want you to know I saw something that excited me in your image. I think this piece shows something important, and itself srands above the rest!

I am very glad I got to see and judge this image. A wonderful moment caught here!

Thanks!

Dave Koch

Thank you for entering the Mammals in the Wild contest!

This was a VERY hard contest to judge, there wer so many great images to choose from.

When I judge, I pick the images that catch my eye, and put them all in a big folder. Then, when the contest ends, I pick my top ten. Usually a top 15 or 20! I whittle that doen to ten, and sometimes move pieces in and out until I fel I have not just a good top ten, but a range of images that show great techniques, above average skill and something special that makes them stand above the others.

So your image made the first cut, but not the cut to top ten. That does not meran your image is not good.... in fact, you were in my batch of images to consider.

It just means that another image got the slot over yours. It could be I already had an image of a whale or a fox, and I diod not want too many of that animal. Or it could be I did not have my coffee yet. Or it could be I have bad taste!

Regardless, I do want you to know I saw something that excited me in your image. I think this piece shows something important, and itself srands above the rest!

I am very glad I got to see and judge this image. A wonderful moment caught here!

Thanks!

Dave Koch

Thank you for entering the Mammals in the Wild contest!

This was a VERY hard contest to judge, there wer so many great images to choose from.

When I judge, I pick the images that catch my eye, and put them all in a big folder. Then, when the contest ends, I pick my top ten. Usually a top 15 or 20! I whittle that doen to ten, and sometimes move pieces in and out until I fel I have not just a good top ten, but a range of images that show great techniques, above average skill and something special that makes them stand above the others.

So your image made the first cut, but not the cut to top ten. That does not meran your image is not good.... in fact, you were in my batch of images to consider.

It just means that another image got the slot over yours. It could be I already had an image of a whale or a fox, and I diod not want too many of that animal. Or it could be I did not have my coffee yet. Or it could be I have bad taste!

Regardless, I do want you to know I saw something that excited me in your image. I think this piece shows something important, and itself srands above the rest!

I am very glad I got to see and judge this image. A wonderful moment caught here!

Thanks!

Dave Koch

The first thing about this image is the eyes... so intense. Photogra[phically, the eyes are in sharp focus and are the center of the image. Those eyes DEMAND you stop and look at this image...

The pose is perfect, too- you get the sense of the fox on the prowl, and of movement- something hard to do in a still 2D image.

I love the (lack of) depth of field, again bringing us back to those eyes.

THe composoition is weighted left, but the look space fills right, so it is well balanced.

Finally, I REALLY love the color here. The evening glow, the autumn-ish colors and the grey-brown of the fox work nicely together!

Good job, and congrats on placing first in this contest!

Dave Koch

This just loioks brutal.

Just as most of the images that I placed in the top ten on this contest were about eyes, so is this image. But here, I gues you can say its the LACK of eyes. But this too says something important in the image.

I love shots that tell a story. And there is a story here. I think we can all put ourselves in the place of this poor pup, if only jyst for a moment. We can feel that down-to-the-bone chill of the snow, and the sting in our face as the wind whips about.

Just a wonderful capture! Thank you for entering the Mammals in the Wild contest, and I am very glad I got to see and judge this image. A wonderful moment caught here!

Dave Koch

A biut different of an image here, and that is why I liked it!

When judging, I look for the different or unusual. For someone who has stepped out of the predictable and the mundane (although there is never anything ordinary about wildlife photography)

What I love here is the tremendous depth of the image. I will be hionest, I am not super sold on the animal pose.... I would have stayed here until I got something a buit more compelling... if possible.

But to me the vista and the composition over road the lack of a good pose.... and so I ended up putting this in my top ten for the contest.

Also curious- why ius there a mousetrap on the rock in front of him?

ANyway, cool shot! Thank you for entering the Mammals in the Wild contest, and I am very glad I got to see and judge this image. A wonderful moment caught here!

Dave Koch

Thank you for entering the Mammals in the Wild contest!

This was a VERY hard contest to judge, there wer so many great images to choose from.

When I judge, I pick the images that catch my eye, and put them all in a big folder. Then, when the contest ends, I pick my top ten. Usually a top 15 or 20! I whittle that doen to ten, and sometimes move pieces in and out until I fel I have not just a good top ten, but a range of images that show great techniques, above average skill and something special that makes them stand above the others.

So your image made the first cut, but not the cut to top ten. That does not meran your image is not good.... in fact, you were in my batch of images to consider.

It just means that another image got the slot over yours. It could be I already had an image of a whale or a fox, and I diod not want too many of that animal. Or it could be I did not have my coffee yet. Or it could be I have bad taste!

Regardless, I do want you to know I saw something that excited me in your image. I think this piece shows something important, and itself srands above the rest!

I am very glad I got to see and judge this image. A wonderful moment caught here!

Thanks!

Dave Koch

Thank you for entering the Mammals in the Wild contest!

This was a VERY hard contest to judge, there wer so many great images to choose from.

When I judge, I pick the images that catch my eye, and put them all in a big folder. Then, when the contest ends, I pick my top ten. Usually a top 15 or 20! I whittle that doen to ten, and sometimes move pieces in and out until I fel I have not just a good top ten, but a range of images that show great techniques, above average skill and something special that makes them stand above the others.

So your image made the first cut, but not the cut to top ten. That does not meran your image is not good.... in fact, you were in my batch of images to consider.

It just means that another image got the slot over yours. It could be I already had an image of a whale or a fox, and I diod not want too many of that animal. Or it could be I did not have my coffee yet. Or it could be I have bad taste!

Regardless, I do want you to know I saw something that excited me in your image. I think this piece shows something important, and itself srands above the rest!

I am very glad I got to see and judge this image. A wonderful moment caught here!

Thanks!

Dave Koch

Thank you for entering the Mammals in the Wild contest!

This was a VERY hard contest to judge, there wer so many great images to choose from.

When I judge, I pick the images that catch my eye, and put them all in a big folder. Then, when the contest ends, I pick my top ten. Usually a top 15 or 20! I whittle that doen to ten, and sometimes move pieces in and out until I fel I have not just a good top ten, but a range of images that show great techniques, above average skill and something special that makes them stand above the others.

So your image made the first cut, but not the cut to top ten. That does not meran your image is not good.... in fact, you were in my batch of images to consider.

It just means that another image got the slot over yours. It could be I already had an image of a whale or a fox, and I diod not want too many of that animal. Or it could be I did not have my coffee yet. Or it could be I have bad taste!

Regardless, I do want you to know I saw something that excited me in your image. I think this piece shows something important, and itself srands above the rest!

I am very glad I got to see and judge this image. A wonderful moment caught here!

Thanks!

Dave Koch

Thank you for entering the Mammals in the Wild contest!

This was a VERY hard contest to judge, there wer so many great images to choose from.

When I judge, I pick the images that catch my eye, and put them all in a big folder. Then, when the contest ends, I pick my top ten. Usually a top 15 or 20! I whittle that doen to ten, and sometimes move pieces in and out until I fel I have not just a good top ten, but a range of images that show great techniques, above average skill and something special that makes them stand above the others.

So your image made the first cut, but not the cut to top ten. That does not meran your image is not good.... in fact, you were in my batch of images to consider.

It just means that another image got the slot over yours. It could be I already had an image of a whale or a fox, and I diod not want too many of that animal. Or it could be I did not have my coffee yet. Or it could be I have bad taste!

Regardless, I do want you to know I saw something that excited me in your image. I think this piece shows something important, and itself srands above the rest!

I am very glad I got to see and judge this image. A wonderful moment caught here!

Thanks!

Dave Koch

Thank you for entering the Mammals in the Wild contest!

This was a VERY hard contest to judge, there wer so many great images to choose from.

When I judge, I pick the images that catch my eye, and put them all in a big folder. Then, when the contest ends, I pick my top ten. Usually a top 15 or 20! I whittle that doen to ten, and sometimes move pieces in and out until I fel I have not just a good top ten, but a range of images that show great techniques, above average skill and something special that makes them stand above the others.

So your image made the first cut, but not the cut to top ten. That does not meran your image is not good.... in fact, you were in my batch of images to consider.

It just means that another image got the slot over yours. It could be I already had an image of a whale or a fox, and I diod not want too many of that animal. Or it could be I did not have my coffee yet. Or it could be I have bad taste!

Regardless, I do want you to know I saw something that excited me in your image. I think this piece shows something important, and itself srands above the rest!

I am very glad I got to see and judge this image. A wonderful moment caught here!

Thanks!

Dave Koch

Thank you for entering the Mammals in the Wild contest!

This was a VERY hard contest to judge, there wer so many great images to choose from.

When I judge, I pick the images that catch my eye, and put them all in a big folder. Then, when the contest ends, I pick my top ten. Usually a top 15 or 20! I whittle that doen to ten, and sometimes move pieces in and out until I fel I have not just a good top ten, but a range of images that show great techniques, above average skill and something special that makes them stand above the others.

So your image made the first cut, but not the cut to top ten. That does not meran your image is not good.... in fact, you were in my batch of images to consider.

It just means that another image got the slot over yours. It could be I already had an image of a whale or a fox, and I diod not want too many of that animal. Or it could be I did not have my coffee yet. Or it could be I have bad taste!

Regardless, I do want you to know I saw something that excited me in your image. I think this piece shows something important, and itself srands above the rest!

I am very glad I got to see and judge this image. A wonderful moment caught here!

Thanks!

Dave Koch

Thank you for entering the Mammals in the Wild contest!

This was a VERY hard contest to judge, there wer so many great images to choose from.

When I judge, I pick the images that catch my eye, and put them all in a big folder. Then, when the contest ends, I pick my top ten. Usually a top 15 or 20! I whittle that doen to ten, and sometimes move pieces in and out until I fel I have not just a good top ten, but a range of images that show great techniques, above average skill and something special that makes them stand above the others.

So your image made the first cut, but not the cut to top ten. That does not meran your image is not good.... in fact, you were in my batch of images to consider.

It just means that another image got the slot over yours. It could be I already had an image of a whale or a fox, and I diod not want too many of that animal. Or it could be I did not have my coffee yet. Or it could be I have bad taste!

Regardless, I do want you to know I saw something that excited me in your image. I think this piece shows something important, and itself srands above the rest!

I am very glad I got to see and judge this image. A wonderful moment caught here!

Thanks!

Dave Koch

Thank you for entering the Mammals in the Wild contest!

This was a VERY hard contest to judge, there wer so many great images to choose from.

When I judge, I pick the images that catch my eye, and put them all in a big folder. Then, when the contest ends, I pick my top ten. Usually a top 15 or 20! I whittle that doen to ten, and sometimes move pieces in and out until I fel I have not just a good top ten, but a range of images that show great techniques, above average skill and something special that makes them stand above the others.

So your image made the first cut, but not the cut to top ten. That does not meran your image is not good.... in fact, you were in my batch of images to consider.

It just means that another image got the slot over yours. It could be I already had an image of a whale or a fox, and I diod not want too many of that animal. Or it could be I did not have my coffee yet. Or it could be I have bad taste!

Regardless, I do want you to know I saw something that excited me in your image. I think this piece shows something important, and itself srands above the rest!

I am very glad I got to see and judge this image. A wonderful moment caught here!

Thanks!

Dave Koch

Thank you for entering the Mammals in the Wild contest!

This was a VERY hard contest to judge, there wer so many great images to choose from.

When I judge, I pick the images that catch my eye, and put them all in a big folder. Then, when the contest ends, I pick my top ten. Usually a top 15 or 20! I whittle that doen to ten, and sometimes move pieces in and out until I fel I have not just a good top ten, but a range of images that show great techniques, above average skill and something special that makes them stand above the others.

So your image made the first cut, but not the cut to top ten. That does not meran your image is not good.... in fact, you were in my batch of images to consider.

It just means that another image got the slot over yours. It could be I already had an image of a whale or a fox, and I diod not want too many of that animal. Or it could be I did not have my coffee yet. Or it could be I have bad taste!

Regardless, I do want you to know I saw something that excited me in your image. I think this piece shows something important, and itself srands above the rest!

I am very glad I got to see and judge this image. A wonderful moment caught here!

Thanks!

Dave Koch

Thank you for entering the Mammals in the Wild contest!

This was a VERY hard contest to judge, there wer so many great images to choose from.

When I judge, I pick the images that catch my eye, and put them all in a big folder. Then, when the contest ends, I pick my top ten. Usually a top 15 or 20! I whittle that doen to ten, and sometimes move pieces in and out until I fel I have not just a good top ten, but a range of images that show great techniques, above average skill and something special that makes them stand above the others.

So your image made the first cut, but not the cut to top ten. That does not meran your image is not good.... in fact, you were in my batch of images to consider.

It just means that another image got the slot over yours. It could be I already had an image of a whale or a fox, and I diod not want too many of that animal. Or it could be I did not have my coffee yet. Or it could be I have bad taste!

Regardless, I do want you to know I saw something that excited me in your image. I think this piece shows something important, and itself srands above the rest!

I am very glad I got to see and judge this image. A wonderful moment caught here!

Thanks!

Dave Koch

Thank you for entering the Mammals in the Wild contest!

This was a VERY hard contest to judge, there wer so many great images to choose from.

When I judge, I pick the images that catch my eye, and put them all in a big folder. Then, when the contest ends, I pick my top ten. Usually a top 15 or 20! I whittle that doen to ten, and sometimes move pieces in and out until I fel I have not just a good top ten, but a range of images that show great techniques, above average skill and something special that makes them stand above the others.

So your image made the first cut, but not the cut to top ten. That does not meran your image is not good.... in fact, you were in my batch of images to consider.

It just means that another image got the slot over yours. It could be I already had an image of a whale or a fox, and I diod not want too many of that animal. Or it could be I did not have my coffee yet. Or it could be I have bad taste!

Regardless, I do want you to know I saw something that excited me in your image. I think this piece shows something important, and itself srands above the rest!

I am very glad I got to see and judge this image. A wonderful moment caught here!

Thanks!

Dave Koch

Thank you for entering the Mammals in the Wild contest!

This was a VERY hard contest to judge, there wer so many great images to choose from.

When I judge, I pick the images that catch my eye, and put them all in a big folder. Then, when the contest ends, I pick my top ten. Usually a top 15 or 20! I whittle that doen to ten, and sometimes move pieces in and out until I fel I have not just a good top ten, but a range of images that show great techniques, above average skill and something special that makes them stand above the others.

So your image made the first cut, but not the cut to top ten. That does not meran your image is not good.... in fact, you were in my batch of images to consider.

It just means that another image got the slot over yours. It could be I already had an image of a whale or a fox, and I diod not want too many of that animal. Or it could be I did not have my coffee yet. Or it could be I have bad taste!

Regardless, I do want you to know I saw something that excited me in your image. I think this piece shows something important, and itself srands above the rest!

I am very glad I got to see and judge this image. A wonderful moment caught here!

Thanks!

Dave Koch

Thank you for entering the Mammals in the Wild contest!

This was a VERY hard contest to judge, there wer so many great images to choose from.

When I judge, I pick the images that catch my eye, and put them all in a big folder. Then, when the contest ends, I pick my top ten. Usually a top 15 or 20! I whittle that doen to ten, and sometimes move pieces in and out until I fel I have not just a good top ten, but a range of images that show great techniques, above average skill and something special that makes them stand above the others.

So your image made the first cut, but not the cut to top ten. That does not meran your image is not good.... in fact, you were in my batch of images to consider.

It just means that another image got the slot over yours. It could be I already had an image of a whale or a fox, and I diod not want too many of that animal. Or it could be I did not have my coffee yet. Or it could be I have bad taste!

Regardless, I do want you to know I saw something that excited me in your image. I think this piece shows something important, and itself srands above the rest!

I am very glad I got to see and judge this image. A wonderful moment caught here!

Thanks!

Dave Koch

Thank you for entering the Mammals in the Wild contest!

This was a VERY hard contest to judge, there wer so many great images to choose from.

When I judge, I pick the images that catch my eye, and put them all in a big folder. Then, when the contest ends, I pick my top ten. Usually a top 15 or 20! I whittle that doen to ten, and sometimes move pieces in and out until I fel I have not just a good top ten, but a range of images that show great techniques, above average skill and something special that makes them stand above the others.

So your image made the first cut, but not the cut to top ten. That does not meran your image is not good.... in fact, you were in my batch of images to consider.

It just means that another image got the slot over yours. It could be I already had an image of a whale or a fox, and I diod not want too many of that animal. Or it could be I did not have my coffee yet. Or it could be I have bad taste!

Regardless, I do want you to know I saw something that excited me in your image. I think this piece shows something important, and itself srands above the rest!

I am very glad I got to see and judge this image. A wonderful moment caught here!

Thanks!

Dave Koch

Thank you for entering the Mammals in the Wild contest!

This was a VERY hard contest to judge, there wer so many great images to choose from.

When I judge, I pick the images that catch my eye, and put them all in a big folder. Then, when the contest ends, I pick my top ten. Usually a top 15 or 20! I whittle that doen to ten, and sometimes move pieces in and out until I fel I have not just a good top ten, but a range of images that show great techniques, above average skill and something special that makes them stand above the others.

So your image made the first cut, but not the cut to top ten. That does not meran your image is not good.... in fact, you were in my batch of images to consider.

It just means that another image got the slot over yours. It could be I already had an image of a whale or a fox, and I diod not want too many of that animal. Or it could be I did not have my coffee yet. Or it could be I have bad taste!

Regardless, I do want you to know I saw something that excited me in your image. I think this piece shows something important, and itself srands above the rest!

I am very glad I got to see and judge this image. A wonderful moment caught here!

Thanks!

Dave Koch

Thank you for entering the Mammals in the Wild contest!

This was a VERY hard contest to judge, there wer so many great images to choose from.

When I judge, I pick the images that catch my eye, and put them all in a big folder. Then, when the contest ends, I pick my top ten. Usually a top 15 or 20! I whittle that doen to ten, and sometimes move pieces in and out until I fel I have not just a good top ten, but a range of images that show great techniques, above average skill and something special that makes them stand above the others.

So your image made the first cut, but not the cut to top ten. That does not meran your image is not good.... in fact, you were in my batch of images to consider.

It just means that another image got the slot over yours. It could be I already had an image of a whale or a fox, and I diod not want too many of that animal. Or it could be I did not have my coffee yet. Or it could be I have bad taste!

Regardless, I do want you to know I saw something that excited me in your image. I think this piece shows something important, and itself srands above the rest!

I am very glad I got to see and judge this image. A wonderful moment caught here!

Thanks!

Dave Koch

Thank you for entering the Mammals in the Wild contest!

This was a VERY hard contest to judge, there wer so many great images to choose from.

When I judge, I pick the images that catch my eye, and put them all in a big folder. Then, when the contest ends, I pick my top ten. Usually a top 15 or 20! I whittle that doen to ten, and sometimes move pieces in and out until I fel I have not just a good top ten, but a range of images that show great techniques, above average skill and something special that makes them stand above the others.

So your image made the first cut, but not the cut to top ten. That does not meran your image is not good.... in fact, you were in my batch of images to consider.

It just means that another image got the slot over yours. It could be I already had an image of a whale or a fox, and I diod not want too many of that animal. Or it could be I did not have my coffee yet. Or it could be I have bad taste!

Regardless, I do want you to know I saw something that excited me in your image. I think this piece shows something important, and itself srands above the rest!

I am very glad I got to see and judge this image. A wonderful moment caught here!

Thanks!

Dave Koch

Thank you for entering the Mammals in the Wild contest!

This was a VERY hard contest to judge, there wer so many great images to choose from.

When I judge, I pick the images that catch my eye, and put them all in a big folder. Then, when the contest ends, I pick my top ten. Usually a top 15 or 20! I whittle that doen to ten, and sometimes move pieces in and out until I fel I have not just a good top ten, but a range of images that show great techniques, above average skill and something special that makes them stand above the others.

So your image made the first cut, but not the cut to top ten. That does not meran your image is not good.... in fact, you were in my batch of images to consider.

It just means that another image got the slot over yours. It could be I already had an image of a whale or a fox, and I diod not want too many of that animal. Or it could be I did not have my coffee yet. Or it could be I have bad taste!

Regardless, I do want you to know I saw something that excited me in your image. I think this piece shows something important, and itself srands above the rest!

I am very glad I got to see and judge this image. A wonderful moment caught here!

Thanks!

Dave Koch

Thank you for entering the Mammals in the Wild contest!

This was a VERY hard contest to judge, there wer so many great images to choose from.

When I judge, I pick the images that catch my eye, and put them all in a big folder. Then, when the contest ends, I pick my top ten. Usually a top 15 or 20! I whittle that doen to ten, and sometimes move pieces in and out until I fel I have not just a good top ten, but a range of images that show great techniques, above average skill and something special that makes them stand above the others.

So your image made the first cut, but not the cut to top ten. That does not meran your image is not good.... in fact, you were in my batch of images to consider.

It just means that another image got the slot over yours. It could be I already had an image of a whale or a fox, and I diod not want too many of that animal. Or it could be I did not have my coffee yet. Or it could be I have bad taste!

Regardless, I do want you to know I saw something that excited me in your image. I think this piece shows something important, and itself srands above the rest!

I am very glad I got to see and judge this image. A wonderful moment caught here!

Thanks!

Dave Koch

Thank you for entering the Mammals in the Wild contest!

This was a VERY hard contest to judge, there wer so many great images to choose from.

When I judge, I pick the images that catch my eye, and put them all in a big folder. Then, when the contest ends, I pick my top ten. Usually a top 15 or 20! I whittle that doen to ten, and sometimes move pieces in and out until I fel I have not just a good top ten, but a range of images that show great techniques, above average skill and something special that makes them stand above the others.

So your image made the first cut, but not the cut to top ten. That does not meran your image is not good.... in fact, you were in my batch of images to consider.

It just means that another image got the slot over yours. It could be I already had an image of a whale or a fox, and I diod not want too many of that animal. Or it could be I did not have my coffee yet. Or it could be I have bad taste!

Regardless, I do want you to know I saw something that excited me in your image. I think this piece shows something important, and itself srands above the rest!

I am very glad I got to see and judge this image. A wonderful moment caught here!

Thanks!

Dave Koch

Thank you for entering the Mammals in the Wild contest!

This was a VERY hard contest to judge, there wer so many great images to choose from.

When I judge, I pick the images that catch my eye, and put them all in a big folder. Then, when the contest ends, I pick my top ten. Usually a top 15 or 20! I whittle that doen to ten, and sometimes move pieces in and out until I fel I have not just a good top ten, but a range of images that show great techniques, above average skill and something special that makes them stand above the others.

So your image made the first cut, but not the cut to top ten. That does not meran your image is not good.... in fact, you were in my batch of images to consider.

It just means that another image got the slot over yours. It could be I already had an image of a whale or a fox, and I diod not want too many of that animal. Or it could be I did not have my coffee yet. Or it could be I have bad taste!

Regardless, I do want you to know I saw something that excited me in your image. I think this piece shows something important, and itself srands above the rest!

I am very glad I got to see and judge this image. A wonderful moment caught here!

Thanks!

Dave Koch

Thank you for entering the Mammals in the Wild contest!

This was a VERY hard contest to judge, there wer so many great images to choose from.

When I judge, I pick the images that catch my eye, and put them all in a big folder. Then, when the contest ends, I pick my top ten. Usually a top 15 or 20! I whittle that doen to ten, and sometimes move pieces in and out until I fel I have not just a good top ten, but a range of images that show great techniques, above average skill and something special that makes them stand above the others.

So your image made the first cut, but not the cut to top ten. That does not meran your image is not good.... in fact, you were in my batch of images to consider.

It just means that another image got the slot over yours. It could be I already had an image of a whale or a fox, and I diod not want too many of that animal. Or it could be I did not have my coffee yet. Or it could be I have bad taste!

Regardless, I do want you to know I saw something that excited me in your image. I think this piece shows something important, and itself srands above the rest!

I am very glad I got to see and judge this image. A wonderful moment caught here!

Thanks!

Dave Koch

Thank you for entering the Mammals in the Wild contest!

This was a VERY hard contest to judge, there wer so many great images to choose from.

When I judge, I pick the images that catch my eye, and put them all in a big folder. Then, when the contest ends, I pick my top ten. Usually a top 15 or 20! I whittle that doen to ten, and sometimes move pieces in and out until I fel I have not just a good top ten, but a range of images that show great techniques, above average skill and something special that makes them stand above the others.

So your image made the first cut, but not the cut to top ten. That does not meran your image is not good.... in fact, you were in my batch of images to consider.

It just means that another image got the slot over yours. It could be I already had an image of a whale or a fox, and I diod not want too many of that animal. Or it could be I did not have my coffee yet. Or it could be I have bad taste!

Regardless, I do want you to know I saw something that excited me in your image. I think this piece shows something important, and itself srands above the rest!

I am very glad I got to see and judge this image. A wonderful moment caught here!

Thanks!

Dave Koch

Thank you for entering the Mammals in the Wild contest!

This was a VERY hard contest to judge, there wer so many great images to choose from.

When I judge, I pick the images that catch my eye, and put them all in a big folder. Then, when the contest ends, I pick my top ten. Usually a top 15 or 20! I whittle that doen to ten, and sometimes move pieces in and out until I fel I have not just a good top ten, but a range of images that show great techniques, above average skill and something special that makes them stand above the others.

So your image made the first cut, but not the cut to top ten. That does not meran your image is not good.... in fact, you were in my batch of images to consider.

It just means that another image got the slot over yours. It could be I already had an image of a whale or a fox, and I diod not want too many of that animal. Or it could be I did not have my coffee yet. Or it could be I have bad taste!

Regardless, I do want you to know I saw something that excited me in your image. I think this piece shows something important, and itself srands above the rest!

I am very glad I got to see and judge this image. A wonderful moment caught here!

Thanks!

Dave Koch

Thank you for entering the Mammals in the Wild contest!

This was a VERY hard contest to judge, there wer so many great images to choose from.

When I judge, I pick the images that catch my eye, and put them all in a big folder. Then, when the contest ends, I pick my top ten. Usually a top 15 or 20! I whittle that doen to ten, and sometimes move pieces in and out until I fel I have not just a good top ten, but a range of images that show great techniques, above average skill and something special that makes them stand above the others.

So your image made the first cut, but not the cut to top ten. That does not meran your image is not good.... in fact, you were in my batch of images to consider.

It just means that another image got the slot over yours. It could be I already had an image of a whale or a fox, and I diod not want too many of that animal. Or it could be I did not have my coffee yet. Or it could be I have bad taste!

Regardless, I do want you to know I saw something that excited me in your image. I think this piece shows something important, and itself srands above the rest!

I am very glad I got to see and judge this image. A wonderful moment caught here!

Thanks!

Dave Koch

Thank you for entering the Mammals in the Wild contest!

This was a VERY hard contest to judge, there wer so many great images to choose from.

When I judge, I pick the images that catch my eye, and put them all in a big folder. Then, when the contest ends, I pick my top ten. Usually a top 15 or 20! I whittle that doen to ten, and sometimes move pieces in and out until I fel I have not just a good top ten, but a range of images that show great techniques, above average skill and something special that makes them stand above the others.

So your image made the first cut, but not the cut to top ten. That does not meran your image is not good.... in fact, you were in my batch of images to consider.

It just means that another image got the slot over yours. It could be I already had an image of a whale or a fox, and I diod not want too many of that animal. Or it could be I did not have my coffee yet. Or it could be I have bad taste!

Regardless, I do want you to know I saw something that excited me in your image. I think this piece shows something important, and itself srands above the rest!

I am very glad I got to see and judge this image. A wonderful moment caught here!

Thanks!

Dave Koch

Thank you for entering the Mammals in the Wild contest!

This was a VERY hard contest to judge, there wer so many great images to choose from.

When I judge, I pick the images that catch my eye, and put them all in a big folder. Then, when the contest ends, I pick my top ten. Usually a top 15 or 20! I whittle that doen to ten, and sometimes move pieces in and out until I fel I have not just a good top ten, but a range of images that show great techniques, above average skill and something special that makes them stand above the others.

So your image made the first cut, but not the cut to top ten. That does not meran your image is not good.... in fact, you were in my batch of images to consider.

It just means that another image got the slot over yours. It could be I already had an image of a whale or a fox, and I diod not want too many of that animal. Or it could be I did not have my coffee yet. Or it could be I have bad taste!

Regardless, I do want you to know I saw something that excited me in your image. I think this piece shows something important, and itself srands above the rest!

I am very glad I got to see and judge this image. A wonderful moment caught here!

Thanks!

Dave Koch

Thank you for entering the Mammals in the Wild contest!

This was a VERY hard contest to judge, there wer so many great images to choose from.

When I judge, I pick the images that catch my eye, and put them all in a big folder. Then, when the contest ends, I pick my top ten. Usually a top 15 or 20! I whittle that doen to ten, and sometimes move pieces in and out until I fel I have not just a good top ten, but a range of images that show great techniques, above average skill and something special that makes them stand above the others.

So your image made the first cut, but not the cut to top ten. That does not meran your image is not good.... in fact, you were in my batch of images to consider.

It just means that another image got the slot over yours. It could be I already had an image of a whale or a fox, and I diod not want too many of that animal. Or it could be I did not have my coffee yet. Or it could be I have bad taste!

Regardless, I do want you to know I saw something that excited me in your image. I think this piece shows something important, and itself srands above the rest!

I am very glad I got to see and judge this image. A wonderful moment caught here!

Thanks!

Dave Koch

Thank you for entering the Mammals in the Wild contest!

This was a VERY hard contest to judge, there wer so many great images to choose from.

When I judge, I pick the images that catch my eye, and put them all in a big folder. Then, when the contest ends, I pick my top ten. Usually a top 15 or 20! I whittle that doen to ten, and sometimes move pieces in and out until I fel I have not just a good top ten, but a range of images that show great techniques, above average skill and something special that makes them stand above the others.

So your image made the first cut, but not the cut to top ten. That does not meran your image is not good.... in fact, you were in my batch of images to consider.

It just means that another image got the slot over yours. It could be I already had an image of a whale or a fox, and I diod not want too many of that animal. Or it could be I did not have my coffee yet. Or it could be I have bad taste!

Regardless, I do want you to know I saw something that excited me in your image. I think this piece shows something important, and itself srands above the rest!

I am very glad I got to see and judge this image. A wonderful moment caught here!

Thanks!

Dave Koch

Thank you for entering the Mammals in the Wild contest!

This was a VERY hard contest to judge, there wer so many great images to choose from.

When I judge, I pick the images that catch my eye, and put them all in a big folder. Then, when the contest ends, I pick my top ten. Usually a top 15 or 20! I whittle that doen to ten, and sometimes move pieces in and out until I fel I have not just a good top ten, but a range of images that show great techniques, above average skill and something special that makes them stand above the others.

So your image made the first cut, but not the cut to top ten. That does not meran your image is not good.... in fact, you were in my batch of images to consider.

It just means that another image got the slot over yours. It could be I already had an image of a whale or a fox, and I diod not want too many of that animal. Or it could be I did not have my coffee yet. Or it could be I have bad taste!

Regardless, I do want you to know I saw something that excited me in your image. I think this piece shows something important, and itself srands above the rest!

I am very glad I got to see and judge this image. A wonderful moment caught here!

Thanks!

Dave Koch

Thank you for entering the Mammals in the Wild contest!

This was a VERY hard contest to judge, there wer so many great images to choose from.

When I judge, I pick the images that catch my eye, and put them all in a big folder. Then, when the contest ends, I pick my top ten. Usually a top 15 or 20! I whittle that doen to ten, and sometimes move pieces in and out until I fel I have not just a good top ten, but a range of images that show great techniques, above average skill and something special that makes them stand above the others.

So your image made the first cut, but not the cut to top ten. That does not meran your image is not good.... in fact, you were in my batch of images to consider.

It just means that another image got the slot over yours. It could be I already had an image of a whale or a fox, and I diod not want too many of that animal. Or it could be I did not have my coffee yet. Or it could be I have bad taste!

Regardless, I do want you to know I saw something that excited me in your image. I think this piece shows something important, and itself srands above the rest!

I am very glad I got to see and judge this image. A wonderful moment caught here!

Thanks!

Dave Koch

Thank you for entering the Mammals in the Wild contest!

This was a VERY hard contest to judge, there wer so many great images to choose from.

When I judge, I pick the images that catch my eye, and put them all in a big folder. Then, when the contest ends, I pick my top ten. Usually a top 15 or 20! I whittle that doen to ten, and sometimes move pieces in and out until I fel I have not just a good top ten, but a range of images that show great techniques, above average skill and something special that makes them stand above the others.

So your image made the first cut, but not the cut to top ten. That does not meran your image is not good.... in fact, you were in my batch of images to consider.

It just means that another image got the slot over yours. It could be I already had an image of a whale or a fox, and I diod not want too many of that animal. Or it could be I did not have my coffee yet. Or it could be I have bad taste!

Regardless, I do want you to know I saw something that excited me in your image. I think this piece shows something important, and itself srands above the rest!

I am very glad I got to see and judge this image. A wonderful moment caught here!

Thanks!

Dave Koch

Happy Happy Hippo! :)

I am seeing a patern in the winners I am choosing in this contest: eyes. This also is a wonderful shot centered on an eye. A bit of mystique, a dash of danger, its all reflected in that eye.

Another characteristic I am seeing in the winners of this contest is a good, shallow depth of field. The lack of any rel BG elements also brings our eyes back to the eye.... and that is what makes this image so string- there is no doubt what it is about!

Fast shutter and wide open apeture- NAILED IT! Thank you for entering the Mammals in the Wild contest, and I am very glad I got to see and judge this image. A wonderful moment caught here!

Dave Koch