New Joiners - Animals #630

Mandrills are amazing primates and not photographed all that often. The coloring of their eyes and face is unmatched amongst their peers. A relaxed pose works well here and the soft, tan background gives emphasis where it should be, on the subject's color. I hope to see a Mandrill in the wild one day and this shot is giving me inspiration.

The eyes have it! The intense stare of this Snowy Owl brings you right in and you almost find it difficult to look away. The dark background and white feathers give way to the amazing eye color. It's also difficult to display emotion with birds, but this image has it.

I'm always a sucker for images that show parenting and interactions between adults and babies. The expression on the young one here is quite priceless. It almost seems as if its laughter has resonated with the parent. The color contrast is also ideal as it provides an easy separation for both subjects.

Primates are our closest relatives and this images shows you why. You can't help but wonder what the Gorilla is thinking or looking at outside of the frame. The blade of grass is a nice touch and helps make the portrait even more human like. I hope someone nearby has a light.

I rather like that this image doesn't include what's being gazed upon by our little friend here. That sense of mystery makes the image much stronger and leaves much to the imagination, especially considering the subject's pose and expression. I can't say exactly what it is, but I'm willing to bet it's much taller!

Tender moments are not reserved for just humans, and it's always captivating to see between animals. The intimacy shown here between the two Zebras is truly heartwarming. The black and white conversion works well and brings the eyes right to the intended moment. I also rather like the vertical composition.

I don't come across a great deal of Panda images and that's disheartening since they're gorgeous animals. I adore this shot as it's a tight frame on the bear's expression, which emphasizes the gentle side of this species. By eliminating any background elements, the image becomes black and white with a powerful simplicity.

It may take a while to find the subject and put together what's going on in the frame, but that's what makes this Starfish shot appealing. The vertical composition and the trail of prints leads you through the story and takes you ultimately to the subject. One can only hope there's a happy ending for this creature.

I really enjoy the abstract nature and feel of this image. It can easily work as a print and look great on a wall. The cooler tones throughout the scene are very pleasing and compliment the "wet" feeling nicely. An interesting conservation story is also conveyed making this even more powerful.

I love artistic wildlife images and this shot definitely fits the bill! The Mute Swan portrait beautifully emphasizes the bird's shape and curves as part of the composition. The lines easily guide the viewer throughout the frame in a very pleasing way. I also love the low key look, which provides a studio like quality and feel. Well done!

This squirrel portrait has so much going for it, but it's all about the connection. At first glance you're drawn in to its adorable expression and then you have time to appreciate the rest of the frame. The subtle greens in the background augment the reddish tones of the subject beautifully.

This image has a lot going for it, but it's actually the crop that makes it stand out of me. It's not conventional as little room is left on either side, but it just feels right as the composition is solely about the Pelican's shape and reflection. The photographer took a risk and it paid off.

Wow, talk about an expressive look! Dalmatian Pelicans are amazing birds and their charisma always works well for the camera. This image invites you right into its gape and you feel as if you're summoned to do so. The reflection helps lead the eye up to the Pelican and the dark background offers little distraction.

It's great to see invertebrate images as they are often overlooked in the animal photography genre. The color contrast works well here, allowing the dark subject to stand out amongst the lighter background. Further, the composition is strong with the bug in the lower right corner of the frame, supported by leading lines from the sand.

Getting eye level is very important when it comes to photographing animals as it provides a strong sense of intimacy. That technique is used well here and with great effect. The Alligator's eye is central to the frame and the calm water offers a nice reflection. Splitting the frame in half with the waterline is also a nice touch.