New Joiners - Animals #669

The intimate perspective is crucial here as this shot includes a parent bird and chicks in their natural environment. Great work getting low without allowing the floating vegetation to get in the way of a clean image. Some of the best animal photos require the photographer to get wet and dirty and this is no exception.

Opsrey are majestic birds of prey and always a wonder to watch in nature. The golden light is a nice touch here as well as the inclusion of the nest, which gives the viewer a broader sense of the bird's behavior and daily life. A proper shutter speed was used to freeze the action.

Adding a human touch to an animal portrait can work very well as you can see in this dog portrait. The subtle tones and dramatic sidelight really bring the image together. The light falls perfectly on the dog's face and helps support its expression. This is definitely a distinguished pup!

This Tiger image is a such a pleasing and gorgeous portrait. The cat's position work well in the frame and the surrounding green foliage acts as a perfect compliment in terms of surroundings and color. The expression immediately grabs your attention and demonstrates the ultimate power of this apex predator. Well done!

The silhouette of this crane is accentuated by the rich warm colors in the background. I'm also drawn to the extended primary feathers on the wing and the stick in its mouth. This is a good example that demonstrates how shape and form do not require the inclusion of subject details.

Most photographers take waterfowl images while laying down on the ground for an eye level and intimate perspective. That said, getting a higher perspective can be worth it as you see here in this image. The Swan silhouette within the cloud reflection is a great way to add interest and texture.

Minimalism is an underused approach to animal photography due to the popular approach of close and tight portraits. I like the minimalist approach here as it allows the viewer to appreciate the surrounding color and and the shapes and positioning of both turtles. This image would also work well with a pano crop.

I love the inclusion of multiple sea lions and the greater sense of space and place here. The individual vocalizing with its head to the sky acts as an initial point of interest and anchor for the rest of composition. The diagonal lines are also strong here and the blue tones in the background are pleasing.

This image immediately brings a smile to your face as there's a humorous feel. The wide angle is the right call here as it give emphasis to the tongue and brings down the proportion of the Bison's body. The black and white conversion is quite pleasing and gives emphasis to the animal's textures.

Marbled Godwits are beautiful birds and always make for good photography subjects. The slight crossing of bills and posture of both birds creates one unique shape. The division between sand and surf is balanced nicely and it's good to see the birds below the water line. The soft colors are also a plus.

I absolutely love this Gorilla shot as it's loaded with personality and mystery. The animal is slightly obscured by the surrounding leaves that double as natural framing and also provide a sense of habitat. The expression is one of interest and curiosity. As a viewer, I feel as though I'm getting a glimpse into this individual's world.

This is a powerful image and delves into the world of photo journalism. The artificial light, dark surroundings, and the bird's expression give off a sense of captivity and pain. You can't help, but be sorry for the bird and I suspect that's the photographer's intention. Great storytelling in this shot.

There's a rushing sense of motion that I feel when looking at this image. You just know the Great Blue Heron is about to take off as one foot is raised and the wings are out stretched. Just below the bird, the water is flowing in the opposite direction which provides some tension.

Macro photography can be difficult for creating interesting compositions because it's mostly about detail. I like the lady bug's placement within the flower bloom as well as the red and green complimentary colors. The sense of place for the bug gives the viewer a proper sense of scale for the insect.