New Joiners - Animals #628

Wagtails are gorgeous little birds and this is a good capture. The image is beautifully sharp and the light and background colour are delightful. However, the composition is a little too cramped, with the subject's tail too close to the bottom right corner. In my opinion, the subject would also benefit from a little more negative space in front of it.

I love the frosty backdrop and atmosphere to this image. The subject being so approachable has enabled the photographer to use a relatively short focal length and capture good depth of field - producing a result with lovely context. Focusing and timing are also spot-on.

Although the subject is maybe a little too central for my taste, I do like this dark, moody shot of a foraging fox. The low eye-to-eye viewpoint helps produce a really intimate and natural view. Focusing is spot-on and it is sensitively processed too.

I like this close-up of a little bundle of bees. The out of focus petals help direct the viewer's eyes inward to the bees, busy collecting nectar. A squarer aspect ratio might suit this image well. The bee further to the left isn't sharp throughout - a slightly smaller aperture would have helped generate a larger depth of field.

This colourful flight shot has loads of impact. The photographer has captured the action expertly, with the fast shutter suspending the dirt and dust disturbed by the departing kingfisher. The shot is bitingly sharp and beautifully detailed. Given the contrasty light, I suspect some shadow recovery was required in editing, but the photographer has processed this file very well in my opinion.

I love the simplicity and graphic nature of this shot. The low, ground level viewpoint is really effective and the light, bright, tones help produce a striking result. In this instance, centralising the subject works work in my view. Focusing and depth of field are spot-on.

This type of clean, simple composition really appeals to me. The light, bright sky provides a flattering backdrop to this flying heron. Including negative space in front of the subject helps stimulate the viewer's eye. The image is sharp, well timed, and nicely processed.

Unfortunately, this shot isn't quite sharp enough to make the cut. Although the light is good and the composition is nice enough, I suspect a touch of camera movement is the culprit here. A shutter speed of 1/200sec isn't really fast enough when using a long, heavy telephoto. Next time, increase ISO speed to generate a faster shutter.

This is remarkable bit of behaviour to capture on your doorstep. The photographer has done really well to react to the opportunity and capture the action. The background highlights are a little bright and distracting in places, but otherwise a well-captured image.

You know you are a dedicated wildlife snapper when you are braving 'gators' to achieve shots like this. This is a really nice image, with the background ibises providing interest and context. In my view, the highlights are a little too bright, though - bordering on overexposed. I would use a radial tool or adjustment brush to selectively reduce the brightness of the ibis's plumage. Otherwise, a great effort.

This low-key cow portrait is very eye-catching - beautifully sharp, detailed and engaging. It is well processed, and the conversion to mono adds to the photo's simplicity. I just wonder if the cow bell is a little too close to the bottom of the frame - maybe a very slightly wider composition would have helped.

I think this is a very cute and clever shot. The elevated viewpoint, wide-angle lens, and shallow depth of field, have produced a result where the subject appears small, vulnerable and dependent. I love the perspective, composition and processing. The shot boasts great eye-contact, depth, and impact. Nicely done.

I'm not qualified to comment on underwater photos - it is not a type of photography I have ever attempted. Taking photographs of wildlife on land is hard enough, but the challenges of working underwater are extensive. This is a very striking shot. I love the perspective, composition, tone, and balance of this frame. To my eye, it is an expertly captured shot.