New Joiners - Animals #701

Birds are known for vibrant tones and Flamingos are always a showstopper regardless of the setting. Incorporation of the reflection is key to this image. The still water is almost mirror like in the scene. The muted background colors give way to the subject's brightness nicely. Pink and green are complimentary colors and come together nicely in the frame.

What a tender moment that's captured in this image between a mother and its young baby Bison. There's a sense of caring and attention that's evident in the mother's expression as well as a feeling of vulnerability in the calf. The connection between the two in the center of frame also feels right and doesn't break any rules for me.

The light really helps bring this American Bison portrait to life. The open mouth reveals a tiny piece of grass that contrasts well with the enormity of a Bison. The foreground grasses almost mirror the shape of the subject and build up in support of the frame rather than distract from it.

This snake image is rather appealing due to its intimacy in the frame as well as the shadow that compliments the curved posture. The conditions are rather bright, but that's also essential to have such a defining shadow which is one of the highlights. Focus is the snake's head and upper body allowing the rest to melt away in a pleasing manner.

The layers in this Coyote image add both depth and interest. The overall cool tones in the scene are also quite pleasing. The water curves around the subject and leads you into the background and surroundings that this animal calls home. Still, the Coyote is the main attention grabber in this loose composition.

It's quite hard to attain close shots of hawks as they're often quite shy and non-confiding. I'm drawn to the talons at the bottom of the frame as well as the direct gaze from the eyes, both powerful features in this portrait. At any instant you get the sense this bird can burst out of the frame.

The head on look by this Victoria Crowned Pigeon is rather intoxicating. The symmetry of the bird's head and deep red color in the eyes stand out above all else. A tighter crop works as the body emerges from the lower right hand corner of the frame and moves up to mid center in a nice curve.

This is an incredible image and a showstopper at first glance. The expressions between the Cane Corso parents are priceless and what a contrast to the puppies as one looks one while the others appear to avoid interaction. Add in a pickup truck and San Francisco City hall as a background and you can't get much more unique than that! I also love the exposure including the depth of field utilized. A memorable shot!

The colors really stand out in this butterfly image. The oranges take center stage as they're supported by the desaturated greens. The subject blends in nicely requiring the viewer to study and pay more attention to the entire frame, which isn't a bad thing. The filter applied also give the shot a vintage or weathered looks which is aesthetically pleasing.

I've yet to see a picture of a Tamarin Emperor so this one is a real treat. The mustache is very unique and put on good display in this black and white image. The additional Tamarin is placed out of focus and nicely to the left, which adds to the composition with a repeating pattern.

The pastel, twilight color in this horse image is both soft and attractive. The vertical composition allows for a lot of space below horizon and some above horizon, but it seems to work fine. The horse's small presence in the frame offers a sense of vastness within a classic western scene.

Capturing an animal in an expansive, gorgeous scene is always a plus as the viewer can see the big picture and get a feeling for the subject's surroundings and preferred habitat. The photographer had to be close for this shot as the doe is large in the frame, but still makes way for an incredible background.

It's all about the eyes in this shot and Lola has your attention instantaneously. The deep gold eyes are bright in the frame drawing the viewer in while the rest of the body and background are muted and dark providing a great supporting role. The sidelight also works well illuminating one side of the face a bit more in a classic portrait method.

While the primate subject and its behavior are quite interesting, it's the background that really brings the overall image together and takes it to the next level. The blue tones from the fading paint of the stairs compliment the orange and gold tones on the subject very well. The lines and texture incorporated by the stairs also help the strong composition.

This is such a powerful image and one that delves into the realm of photojournalism. The dog's expression unfortunately appears to reflect the realities that face its owner. I can't help but notice the distinction between the dog's rather clean look compared to the rough textures and dirt on the homeless man. This image really puts you mind to work on what caused this situation to happen and how it can be made better if at all.