New Joiners - Animals #799

The light and shadow combine to make this Butterfly image stand out. The subject and grasses are illuminated on the left side of the frame while the right side is covered in shade and dark tones. Upon close examination, the designs on the Butterfly's wings resemble eyes starting back at the viewer.

This is such a pleasing profile pic of a Moose. The face is full of expression and the ears pointing in different directions adds interest. The soft trees in the background offer a sense of habitat and increase interest in the image rather than detract. The hanging dewlap is also a nice detail.

The light is a bit harsh in this Grasshopper image, but it does create some interesting shadows. The subject is aligned in the same direction as the diagonal, surface lines. All of the alien like Grasshopper details are also on display in this shot. The shapes in the hind legs capture my attention.

The softness and slight diffusion in this Goat image give it a magical or dreamy like feel. The two Goats in the background offer a sense of depth and the one in back left captures my attention after some close study. The side light is quite pleasing and not too harsh.

Capturing the right moment during a burst of action like this takes preparation and quick response on behalf of the photographer. The Squirrel is frozen in just the right spot as it leaps from one tree branch to the other. It's amazing how these animals can quickly leap and maneuver.

The mirror like reflection of this Little Egret in motion brings this shot to life. While the bird is placed in the center of the frame, the marsh grasses neatly provide some natural framing. The horizon is correctly placed near the mid point of the frame to evenly divide between the waterline.

The textures really stand out in this Turkey Vulture image. The fringes on the back and wing feathers stand out as does the wooden perch. I like the pushed or high key exposure and it combines well with a black and white conversion. This image can double as a painting.

The Cat's reflection in this image is just magical and it really brings the composition to life. I'm glad the photographer settled on a vertical crop and placed the break between the subject and its reflection near the center offering a split frame view. The black and white aspect of it feels right.

There is a lot of chaos going on in this Zebra image and it takes a bit of time to figure it out, which isn't a bad thing. Of the four individuals tangled together, two are battling each other. The saliva coming out of the tallest Zebra's mouth indicate the intensity of the moment.

Snails and Slugs look so interesting when captured up close with a macro lens. The tubular eyes first grab my attention and then I step back and admire the color harmony here between the greens and reds. The background is out of focus but still is able to provide a sense of space.

I love the dramatic, wide angle view of this compelling scene. The pastel colors radiating from the sky create a mood and feeling for the entire frame. The pano crop works well and includes all of the Mute Swans while also being in focus. The subtle reflections are also a nice touch.

This is such a unique image as it contains a silhouette of the Lizard's body, yet the head is peaking out from behind the leaf removing a bit of mystery as to what the animal may look like. The backlighting illuminates the shadows and color perfectly and the leaf edge acts as a leading line. Amazing shot!

This is a common composition used for Peacocks, but the bright blues and greens help this image get attention. The color saturation is not overdone and rather pleasing. The bright highlights in the background give the impression the the feather designs are floating in the air. This style of shot doesn't get old.

The rich yellow color in the eye of this Cat stands out amongst the surrounding dark tones and shadows. The eye and eyebrows are tack sharp and that's important for up close imagery such as this. The sheen from the strong highlights creates a bit of texture and interest as well.

The rich blues in the water match the eyes of the Northern Gannets and also compliment the gold tones on their heads as well. It's nice to see a courtship display captured, demonstrating some behavior for the viewer. The two outer birds serve as bookends and help frame the two courting birds.