New Joiners - Animals #648

Cool tones are often overlooked in favor of warmer and stronger reds and oranges, but they are nonetheless calming and pleasant as you can see here. The textures on the jellyfish really stand out in this image and I rather like the vertical composition that was chosen by the photographer.

The natural and out focus framing in this Tiger image is very pleasing and brings your attention straight to the white tiger. Tigers are known for being one of the most fierce some animals in nature, but the expression here says otherwise. An absolutely gorgeous animal and an equally stunning portrait.

This is a gorgeous bird in flight image and one that takes quick instincts and skill from the photographer. Kinglets are extremely fast birds and hard to track so this must've been difficult. The shutter speed is just right as the body is frozen with some motion blur on the wings indicating movement.

This nifty Lemur image is all about the color for me. The deep oranges from the animal's eye and food compliment the tan and yellow tones throughout the rest of the frame. The wide gape and expression also add a nice touch to the shot. If you look closely, the tongue is also visible, which is a nice surprise.

Leopard cubs are very cute and this little one is no exception. The crossed paws and head peaking through the split branch is a nice touch and supports the subject well. A vertical composition is also a good decision as it compliments the height of the branch and places the face in the upper third of the frame.

Animals can make some unique gestures as you can see here with this cow. It's all about the tongue and I'm curious as to what it's actually doing here. With the animal being dark, it brings attention to the behavior at hand in the center of the frame. The eye placement in the upper left corner is also desirable.

If there's a cuteness scale, then this shot is most likely a 10. The flowers are a nice touch and the studio appearance makes this seem like an old family portrait. I just want to reach into the frame and start petting and holding both of them. Even with all the cuteness, they both are giving off a bit of sass.

This looks like an amazing day on the beach and what better way to spend it than with Golden Retrievers. The paw prints in the sand help tell the story and act as a nice leading line to steer the viewer into and out of the frame. Definitely a feel good image.

The perch and complimentary tones in the lush, green background suit this lizard image well. The rather like the diagonal cutting through the center of the frame and the deep red coloring on the subject's face. If you look closely, the branches criss crossing the shot help frame things up.

Wow, talk about a powerful moment of life and death! While your heart goes out for the young prey, it's part of nature's cycle. The contrasting looks of strength and helplessness stick with you here. The subtle connection point of the paw and tail bring both subjects together nicely. What an amazing moment to capture in the wild.

Placing your subject in the center or near the center of the frame is not a typical method, but it seems to work here. The dramatic surroundings are beautiful and help bring this Bighorn Sheep image to life. I like that everything is in focus and the distant sheep on the right is a nice surprise.

This dog portrait is very pretty as the golden backlight adds interest and a nice rim light around the subject. The exposure works and and the out of focus background helps give a sense of place. I'm completely drawn to the dog's eyes as they are two different colors, which is unique.

I absolutely love the contrast between a very small sized subject and an enormous mountain range that serves as the background for this image. The nice pop of color on the subject adds interest and brings attention to the audience. I wonder if the bright color is a warning sign for predators?

Rhinos are incredible animals and a treat to see in the wild. While removing their horns alters their appearance, I suspect it will continue to be necessary to ensure they can survive as a species. The interaction in this shot is great and the pano like crop works well with their proportions in the frame.

I love wide angle perspectives of animals as they can distort things in a pleasing manner as you see here. The human made elements in the frame tell a story of interaction between two worlds and makes the viewer question what exactly is going on here. I suspect food is top of mind.