New Joiners - Animals #733

Red Squirrels are a difficult subject these days and it's impressive to see a shot such as this one. The colors are rich and the mirror like reflection is a definite plus that adds interest. The photographer chose to crop this vertically and that's a good choice as it incorporates the entirety of the reflection.

I absolutely love the usage of light by the photographer to create a dramatic portrait of this Siamang. The angle of light illuminates half of the subject's face and most importantly, one eye. The expression or look that you see from this primate is powerful and immediately catches your attention. The orange eye is also a standout in an otherwise monochromatic scene. Fantastic work!

I rather like the contrast between the urban grit of this image with the charming interaction of the two pigeons. The silhouette works well as it places emphasis on the pigeons without color or texture distraction. A vertical composition including just the pole with the birds would be powerful, but I don't mind the inclusion of the building on the right side for additional context.

This shot contains a gorgeous sunset and the Masai Mara is no stranger to incredible skies. Including the Elephant silhouette in front of the sun ball is the highlight of this frame. The smaller Elephant on the right compliments the other and offers a sense of balance to the overall composition.

This Bison shot includes a sense of habitat the animal prefers and it' is also educational to the viewer. The haze in the distance acts as a diffuser and softens background with a filter like effect. I also can't stop thinking the Bison is in a good mood as it seems to be smiling.

This Chameleon image is a good example on how a shallow depth of field can make or break a shot. The face and eye are tack sharp, while the body fades into a silky smooth background of complementary color. It's a very pleasing image and classically composed by the photographer.

This is a unique image and something you can appreciate upon closer inspection. The photographer wisely incorporates spruce branches to frame the top half of the image, while also hiding any potential distractions in the background. All of the attention is brought to the sheep and its staring right back at you.

You get the sense this Falcon is wet from a recent hunt or perhaps is actively ready for the next dive in search of a rodent. The cloudy, mid-tone surroundings allow for some nice color saturation on the Hobby. The textures in the branch also add a bit of interest.

Nature can be unforgiving at times, but it's important to have these interactions and behaviors recorded. The Hawk's dark red eye is intimidating and compliments the scene well with a nod to bloodshed. The feathers are literally flying here and it's nice to see some captured in the air and on the predator's bill.

The ability to get super close to an animal with a wide angle can allow for a distortion of perspective. These distortions are good tools and sometimes provide a comical flare as you see here with this Camel. The subject's head is extremely large relative to the rest of its body. This one definitely deserves a pet.

Which way should we go Mom? I really like the story telling contained in this image. You get the feeling the mother Duck is showing her young one the way. There's a nice diagonal line that splits the frame from corner to corner, created by the heads of both subjects.

It's great to see an artistic representation of birds in imagery as opposed to a literal representation at times. The cool tones stand out as does the beam of light cutting through the frame. The outstretched wing position on each Pigeon is quite pleasing as is the translucence through the outer feathers.

What an amazing moment to capture. At first glance, this shot immediately brings a smile to your face. The tulip introduces a brilliant pop of color and supports the mouse well. The vignette applied around the corners of the frame adds to the overall aesthetic. You couldn't ask for a better pose as well.

I love the tender moment that's captured here between the Canada Goose parent and its gosling. Even in a state of rest, the adult is still keeping a watchful eye on the chick. It's great to see a shot with a strong story to tell and this image is no exception.

There's a great sense of motion captured in this frame. While the background is blurred, the horse is sharp enough to be distinguished from its surroundings. The extended legs give off a sense of energy and power that's deserving of such strong animal. The filter effect used in the processing also provides a vintage feel.