New Joiners - Animals #649

I assume this is a captive subject, and the photographer has excluded the subject's legs to hide the jesses on its legs. However, little owls have colourful, piercing eyes that suit tightly cropped portraits like this. The shallow depth of field has generated a beautifully blurred, non-competitive backdrop. Focusing is good and the file is nicely detailed.

At first glance, this is a very sweet and nicely captured shot. But images like this concern me, as this young blackbird looks too young to be out the nest. Therefore, I have to question how it found its way onto this photogenic stump? The photographer hasn't provided any backstory, so it is tricky for me to comment. But it's important that photographers always prioritise their subjects safety and welfare.

This is a simple, but very attractive portrait. The photo has compelling eye contact, with the wolf looking straight down the lens. Focusing and depth of field are spot-on. The black and white treatment works well and the soft, low contrast editing helps produce a lovely final result.

Bees are tricky subjects to photograph well, being busy and unpredictable subjects. The photographer has done really well in this instance, producing a sharp and well composed result. The shallow depth of field has produced a nice, flattering backdrop. Focusing is spot on and the square aspect ratio works well.

What a gorgeous shot! Light is so often the key ingredient with successful nature images, and in this instance the warm backlighting - highlighting the wildflowers and animal's outline - adds depth, beauty, and atmosphere. The shot is well composed, focused, and exposed - a very aesthetically pleasing photo.

What an impressive insect. I'm guessing this was shot in captivity or a butterfly house, but that doesn't detract from the result. The photographer has carefully aligned their camera with the subject in order to place as much of the insect as possible within the plane of focus. Sharpness is good and the narrow depth of field has helped diffuse the background distractions.

I would love to know more about this photo, but sadly the photographer hasn't included any technical info or background. The shoal creates a wonderful frame for the turtle and helps direct the viewer's eye toward the subject. Placing the main subject centrally works in this instance. A visually engaging underwater photo.

This is a well captured shot, taken from a low shooting angle in order to produce a natural, intimate result. The surrounding grasses create a nice, natural frame. Focusing is spot-on and the diffused backdrop helps the subject pop from its background. A lovely, authentic capture.

This is a very striking composition. It is hard to produce original nature photographs, but this is an innovative shot. Focusing is perfect and the vulture's wings create a compelling frame. I love the way the two vulture's mirror each other. Well done!

I love the symmetry of this shot, and the photographer's timing has produced a fun, interesting result. For me, the shot appears to be very slightly over-exposed - maybe just a half stop or so. I would also use the clone or heal tool to tidy up the bits of distracting debris floating on the water's surface.

I do like this shot. The eye contact is great with the ewe looking toward camera, while the other sheep help set the scene. The tree and gate help add interest and balance to the composition, while the falling snow creates a painterly effect. A very lovely rural seasonal scene.

I love photos that tell a story and have context and this shot of a house martin, leaving its nest, does just that. The martin is perfectly sharp and expertly captured. The composition works well with the nest providing interest and balance. A really nice nature shot.

Photos like this always leave me feeling a bit sad. That is no fault of the photographer, who has captured a sharp well exposed image of this captive dolphin. However, I just can't take any pleasure from seeing a photo of a performing animal from a show. Just not my thing - sorry.

What a fantastic shot. I love the low, worm's eye perspective and clean, diffused background. It is a simple photo, but very effective. We are often told not to place subjects centrally, but this approach often works when shooting subject's head-on. A fun, impactful portrait.

This shot is brilliantly timed and the photographer has captured a fantastic bit of behaviour. The high ISO and fast shutter speed is just what is required for this type of action. Unfortunately, the image isn't critically sharp, which is why this shot doesn't make my top ten.