New Joiners - Animals #653

The strong diagonal line that cuts through and separates the frame makes this composition powerful. The cracked corn in the lower half of the frame help tell the story and provide a connection to the incoming Mute Swans. The ability to get close to these birds offers all kinds of photographic opportunities.

Photographing insects in flight is a very difficult thing. The photographer was successful in getting a flight shot, but it's unique as the bee is covered in pollen which is a nice story. The supporting flower below adds some strong, complimentary color and offers a sense of scale as well.

Bird in flight images can be quite difficult to capture. The wing positioning is very good here as you can see all the feather details and subtle coloring. The raptor's expression is tenacious, which is fitting for the largest hawk that breeds in North America. The exposure is spot on as well.

Every once in a while I come across a photo that offers a sense of place and this is certainly one of them. I like the non traditional positioning here as the stag calls out into the scene. The distant lake and mountainside might be the most important thing about this shot.

I absolutely love this black and white, Horseshoe Crab image. The monochrome conversion is the right call here as it brings focus to the textures on the crab and the contrast throughout the pier in the background. The vertical composition is very strong as the sand trial leads you into the frame and the story.

This butterfly shot is a step above the rest due to its symmetry. The posture on each of them is near identical and it's interesting how they face in opposite directions within the frame. I rather like the square crop here and the vignette brings focus right on both subjects.

Open up and say ahh! You can almost feel the dry and arid air while looking at the turtle's skin in this shot. The open mouth and expression gives a sense of desire, perhaps for some water? The brown and tan colors are complimentary and the the exposure is spot on.

This squirrel image has a comical feel, which makes you smile at first glance. This individual looks a bit frazzled, but I suspect its just the nature of the species. The vertical composition is a must and looks good here. The surrounding, bland colors also don't provide any distraction for the viewer.

This horse portrait stands out as it's framed up very nicely. The barn entrance in the background adds a nice pop of color and the darkness within allows all the attention to fall on the subject. The horse is making a rather comical expression if you look closely. This portrait tells a story as well.

The Hippo is one animal no one should mess with and this image provides good reason for that. The black and white conversion further emphasizes the textures of its teeth and upper mouth, which are amazing to see. The line of sight perspective is also key to making this image work.

This closeup image of a Cow is immediately gets your attention. The focus is spot on and offers lots of subtle details upon close inspection. The water droplets surrounding its face and the strands of hair partially covering the eyes add interest. It would appear that some additional hay may be on the menu.

Golden light on a golden girl! This portrait is simply stunning. The low angle perspective brings intimacy into the scene and the side light illuminates the emotion in her expression. She has a contemplative look that's made for the camera. Who wouldn't want to play ball with her on the beach.

The urban scene that surrounds the cat in this image is fantastic due to the thoughtful composition. I imagine old streets and alleyways in Italy having a similar feel. The vertical crop is the right choice as it gives height to the cat's location and incorporates the empty stools and trash can below.

The title of this image made me laugh as does the shot itself. Squirrels are charismatic and typically offer expressions of humor that you just can't pass up. I wonder where he's actually going to put that nut. The light is pleasing here and the surrounding color adds a nice touch.