New Joiners - Animals #627

Chipmunks are feisty little animals and I always enjoy seeing photos of them. The natural perch works well here and a looser composition gives the viewer a sense of habitat as well. The small nut sticking out of its mouth adds a nice touch of humor, which fits this species well.

Black and white shots are designed to take advantage of contrast and texture. It's application here is perfect and suits this dog portrait so well. The side light falls squarely on the eye and helps give emphasis to the subject's surprised expression. I suspect the mail or post might be arriving?

I love animal photographs that incorporate a sense of place or environment, such as this gull image. London's city scape is a suitable background as these birds make the most of city life. You have to wonder if this fellow is eyeing some fries or a bag of crisps in the near distance.

Frame filling is an expression used in wildlife photography and it's an apt description for this Peacock capture. I love how the displaying tail feathers are used to create the entire background of the frame. The bird's head and body are positioned at a slant which is also pleasing for the composition.

Repeating patterns or mimicry can provide a strong composition in animal photography. I absolutely love how the curvature of the adult Elephant's trunk is replicated by a younger one in the background. These similar shapes also form a pleasing line through the frame as well. Elephants can be charismatic and their behavior always makes for a great shot.

Intimacy and emotion are traits not confined to just our species and this image proves that. Northern Cardinal pairs are known to be cooperative and dependent upon one another, even outside of the breeding season. A special moment is captured here and the diagonal angle and line help solidify the composition.

The subtle yet rich, red tones on the squirrel stand out when you first examine this image. Further, the overall scene is rather dark or muted and provides a nice contrast to the subject. Adding in a bit of feeding behavior is also a nice touch to compliment this portrait.

What an adorable image of two young kittens playing. It took me a bit to see the face of the lower kitten and appreciate the connection formed between each of them as you move vertically through the frame. I often wonder what each of them must be thinking. I suspect the kitten up top seems most content.

What a pleasing image! The bee is placed well in the composition as it's supported by a flower and surrounded in a serene garden. Exposure is spot on, which is important here due to the amount of highlights. I also like the depth of field with clear focus on the subject and softness on the surrounding flora.

Some animal portraits bring your attention right to the eyes and this capture does just that. I appreciate how the macaque is not staring directly at the photographer, but rather offering a gaze toward the distance. It begs the viewer to consider what's going on its head or what's under contemplation.

This image is a very pleasing portrait of a ram that emphasizes both mood and texture. The incorporation of. a new and muted background also provides an interesting studio look. Even though the eyes are not visible there's still a sense of expression that's felt by the viewer upon close inspection.

Humans and nature can coexist at times and this image reminds me of that possibility. A vertical composition is the right choice here as it incorporates the windmills and makes them a supporting element to the frame. I also appreciate the natural behavior on display between the two bucks and the surrounding, soft light.

This bird portrait takes color and brings it to a new level. I absolutely adore the color harmony between the subject and out of focus background. The variation in greens along with the bright reds and yellows give off a tropical feel, which is probably true to the bird's origins.

I love an animal image that invites you to study and appreciate the entire scene. Subtle details are important and they help make this image special. Let's start with the amazing layering throughout the frame as you go from greenery to rock to ocean. Upon close inspection, you'll also notice a Brown Pelican flying across the rock chasm and providing a sense of connection. A stunning view and an equally amazing photograph!

Talk about a sense of connection that's captured here between these two Bohemian Waxwings. My attention is first brought to their convergence toward the fruit and the shape they jointly form, which is then intersected by a branch flowing through the frame. This is fantastic composition that supports some amazing behavior.