New Joiners - Animals #597

Most ladybug shots are taken with a macro lens at a very close range and don't allow for a wider perspective such as what's captured here. The color contrast is great and allows the subject to stand out amongst the dark green surroundings. I enjoy the low key vibe giving way to shadows and blacks around the frame, which offer a fine vignette.

Foxes are amazing animals and they can be playful at times while you observe them. This image captures that behavior for me and also paints the subject in a positive light, which means a lot these days. This particular individual was not shy, and the dead leaf in its mouth is a nice touch.

This image has some great lines and curves in it, including the positioning of the lovebirds. The highlights provide some nice emphasis on the birds and the surrounding foliage is a compliment rather than a distraction. I'm enjoying the triangle shape formed by both birds and the interaction is also endearing.

I like the black and white conversion as it does well to make the subjects stand out in the entire frame. Not all stories are happy and this one certainly isn't, but you can feel the sense of caring and concern from what I presume is the young pony's parent.

Primates are very close to human like in their behavior and that can make for an interesting image. The depth of field used for this image was sufficient to render all of the subjects sharp. The varying degrees of interactions within the family unit offer the viewer a chance to peruse and study the entire frame.

I've watched stallions fight before and it's quite the scene. So much power and energy! This shot definitely gives the viewer as sense of struggle and what's at stake between these two. The color contrast gives further emphasis that there's two opposing sides. The spectators in the upper left half of the frame completes the story of what's going on.

Mice can make for cute subjects and that's certainly the case in this image. I love the natural and perhaps unnatural framing used in the shot. The shadows behind the mouse bring proper attention to it and the surrounding foliage acts as a nice compliment. The coconut is also a great touch.

Owls are popular subjects and for good reason. I really enjoy the engagement you get from this image as you're immediately brought into it's eyes and stare. I rather like the framing around the owl and you get a bit of wing stretch behavior as well. The slower shutter speed also blurs the rain drops out in a pleasing manner.

Some animal images are all about the action and this Kingfisher image definitely has it! The timing of the exposure stands out here and the bird is captured just before landing and touching down. The water coming off the fish and the nictitating membrane being closed add some dynamics to the overall scene.

The spotlight effect can be such a powerful lighting tool with wildlife. I love how the light is hitting the Great Blue Heron's face at the perfect angle The shadows provide great definition for the neck and breast feathers as well. By exposing for the highlights. the photographer was able to darken all other surroundings and it results in such a pleasing, studio look as you see here.

I love animal images that contain multiple subjects such as this one as you always get varying degrees of expression. From left to right, you get an exponential jump in interest and alertness from each Bloodhound as you survey the scene. Great personality in this image and the colors and framing work well.

I love the concept and story that's contained in this image! Bats are not photographed often since they're nocturnal, but this image does just that and also includes its environment. I love the twin steeple church in the distance, which provides a great counterpoint to the subject. I'm getting a Dracula feeling here. Great work!

Ladybugs are always great subjects for wildlife photography. This image is all about the curves for me. The background highlight is used effectively here as it helps both subjects stand out in the frame. Once you look closely you'll see there's a spider on the underside of the fern, which is a nice hidden treasure.

Many wildlife photographers try to use high shutters speeds as conventional wisdom suggests that you should freeze the action. The opposite has been done here and for good measure. The slower shutter speed provides some wing blur in the worker bee and demonstrates a sense of motion for the audience.