New Joiners - Animals #487

I like this image as it is so natural looking. The low viewpoint creates a very intimate perspective and this shot really highlights the cubs wonderful camouflage. The timing is good, with both the young lions staring at the camera. The branches, while messy to some extent, also create a good, natural frame.

This is a lovely shot. The bluebird looks so cold with its feathers ruffled up as the snow falls down. The photographer has done well to capture such a lovely shot in difficult, dull light. For me, the bird is a little too central in the frame, though - I would be tempted to slice off a little from the right of the frame to create a slightly more engaging composition overall.

I like this bold composition. It is always good to be experimental or innovative with framing, and this shot works well in my opinion. The pony's eye falls on a power point and its mane provides lovely texture and interest. I would be tempted to try this shot in black and white.

Another excellent horse photo, but very different to the winner. I love the mood of this shot - the mist diffusers the background to help the animals standout boldly. I would be tempted to crop this image into a square to exclude the horse and fence on the left. Doing so would simplify the composition further. This is a tough shot to capture, with a dark subject against a light background. The photographer has handled exposure well, although you can see a little 'haloing' around the horses head from where the shadows have been lifted. Be mindful of this in the future.

Wow - this shot has lots of impact and great eye-contact. The black and white conversion suits this shot really well, placing emphasis on the cat's markings and the detail of its fur and whiskers. This image has a great three-dimensional feel thanks to dramatic side-lighting. A lovely portrait.

Another great animal action shot! Technically, it is tricky taking a photo like this of a moving subject in mixed light. However, the photographer has done superbly well, with the dog's eyes bitingly sharp. The atmosphere is great with the snow being backlit by the low sun. The bright highlight just to the left of the dog's head is a little distracting and overall the composition is a little tight in my opinion. But this remains a very lovely shot!

Photographing insects in flight is incredibly challenging - depth of field is shallow and AF systems struggle to lock-on to such tiny subjects. Bees are fast moving and unpredictable. This is a very good attempt and the lavender provides a colourful background. The bee isn't quite sharp enough unfortunately, otherwise this would have made my Top 10.

A low, worm's eye viewpoint often suits photographs of animals - as it does in this instance. You don't see too many photos of chickens, but this is a really nice shot. Combining a telephoto lens and large aperture is a great way of helping your subject standout from its surroundings.

This is such a wonderfully detailed and lifelike photograph. The sharpness and detail gives the image a genuine three-dimensional feel and this is a very competent shot. Compositionally, I would prefer a little negative space in-front of the animal in order for the dog to 'look into'.

I do like the layers of colour in this shot - the bold strips of blue sky, aqua sea, and sandy coloured wall. I like simplicity, so this composition appeals to me, with the black headed gull placed neatly on a dividing third looking into negative space. A very eye-catching shot.

The soft lighting conditions has allowed the photographer to record wonderful detail in the flamingo's plumage. The dark backdrop helps the bird standout and the focus is perfectly on the subject's eye. I would be tempted to just lighten this image ever so slightly, but otherwise this is a very attractive portrait.

Technically and aesthetically, this is a very good image. The light is magical - golden and beautiful. Light is so often a key ingredient and in this instance it highlights the horses shape, hair and the water droplets. It is a good action shot, well-captured with a fast shutter speed and good focusing. A worthy winner!

I love the context of this shot. It is so tempting to always opt for frame-filling compositions of wildlife, but (when possible) it is good to include a slice of the subject's environment. The water's edge helps direct the viewer's eye through the composition and the snowy conditions add a seasonal feel to the shot.

Weather is such a key element to nature images. I just love the atmosphere of this image. Mist and fog create beautiful diffusion and help highlight shape and form. Meanwhile, the frost adds a lovely seasonal feel to this shot. The composition is very good, with the trees behind creating a frame and context. The timing is excellent too, with the swans caught at the perfect moment. Well done!

This is a very nice shot. The diffused light has allowed the photographer to capture wonderful detail in the spoonbill's plumage and record colour authentically. A long focal length and large aperture has generated an attractive, diffused backdrop. Meanwhile, the negative space in front of the birds helps create an engaging composition.