New Joiners - Animals #624

Even if this is the smallest bird in the world, the Bee Hummingbird's color sure does pack a punch! This is a beautiful portrait as the light was just right to light up the bird's head and gorget. Cuban wildlife is not photographed often so it's a pleasure to see this bird and I hope its future is a bright one.

I love animal photos such as this one that provide close and intimate details, which would otherwise be lost in a standard portrait. The Cockatoo's feather pattern is gorgeous and the sublet yellow patches of color compliment the eye nicely. The curves in the image are subtle but do not go unnoticed to the trained eye.

I love animal photos that bring in a human element and show how they exist within our own altered landscapes. The Snowy Egret perched on top of the pier's archway welcomes you into the scene that's further augmented by some surrounding gulls. It makes you wonder who the real boss of the town is.

What a beautiful and sentimental image. I love the tender moment that's captured here between the mom and her young calf. The streaming light coming into the frame provides drama and the black and white conversion bring an artistic flair as well. Parenting and the ability to show care and affection are not unique to just our species.

Wow, talk about an intimate moment with an Elk! The nonchalant expression is quite priceless considering how close the photographer was for the shot. The slightly out of focus background, to include some pretty birch trees, offers a sense of habitat without being a distraction. The image is tack sharp where it counts.

A great moment of action is captured in this shot. Bald Eagles love fish, but to find one eating a fish on ice is at a whole different level. I like the textures and grit on the bird as these features compliment its expression. Finally, the small amount of blood on the ice tells the story without revealing too many details.

Most animal photos are composed to have the subject stand out against the background. This octopus image is different as it demonstrates how it actually can meld into its surroundings perfectly. What an interesting species and fantastic capture of its behavior. I'm not sure I would've seen it if I came across a similar situation in the field.

I absolutely love the angled light in this Mallard image as it creates drama and makes it much more interesting to the viewer. The light hits the face perfectly to reveal some color and provides an overall low key look that's free from distraction. The orange foot is also a nice touch.

It's great to see an invertebrate in the photo selection as these animals are usually not underrepresented in animal photography. I love the soft colors in the image and how the flower comprises the entire surrounding of the assassin bug. The bug seems to have a purplish hue to it, which matches its surroundings.

What a cool and unique way to present an animal photograph! Reversing the image with the reflection on top begs more intrigue and requires the viewer to spend more time examining the shot. The colors are rich and I'm also sympathetic to the photographer's statement regarding animals' proper role in society.

I love this photo! The composition is spot on as the Wildebeest enter the frame in the lower left edge and work their way through the shot providing a nice curve along the way. The color harmony of the tans and browns works well. A nice migration story is told to the viewer in a painterly way.

Open space is a good thing for certain animal photos as it gives the viewer a look into the habitat that sustains the subject. This image also has a great feel as you get the sense of a vast open plain. The angled light provide good contrast and reveals nice textures on the Bison.

Pigs are such smart and caring animals that deserve more respect in my opinion. This image is super cute and you can't help love these little ones at first glance. I like that there is direct eye contact from only one piglet as the others stare in a different direction.

A picture is worth a thousand words they say and this one is no exception. The monkey's expression comes through so well in the photo and you can't help but wonder what it is thinking. Exposure is pushed and spot on to ensure the subject is bright enough and full of detail. If only monkeys could talk!

This jellyfish image reminds me of an old film capture in a very artistic way. I wonder if shooting through the glass helped with this effect in a natural way. The cool tones are very pleasent and the jellyfish textures and shape bring proper attention to the viewer. The out of focus bokeh and water debris provide a snow flurry feel and effect.