New Joiners - Animals #813

When someone thinks about a Lion and its preferred habitat I feel like they most likely imagine a scene like this. The backlight creates a subtle rim light around the Lion's mane as it walks through a tall grass savannah. It's important that the subject is below the horizon and doesn't intersect with it.

The soft pastel tones enrich this Whale image as does the surrouning scenery. It's interesting to see the textures introduced by the barnacles on the tail. The streaming trails of water are a nice touch and give a sense of just how fleeting this experience was. Kudos for being ready to capture this as it happened.

Using a low key exposure can add a sense of mystery and power to an image and that's exactly what you see here. The rich, orange tones of the tiger are complimented by the surrounding shadows. The overall mood of this scene fits this apex predator which is the primary subject.

I love to see macro images in the competition as they give attention to lesser known subjects like this Grasshopper. It appears to be on a railroad track which doubles as a set of leading lines throughout the frame. The angles and textures shine on the subject due to the close magnification.

I'm not entirely sure what's going on in this frame but it's appealing and sparks interest. The cool, blue tones are gorgeous and the shot has a circular feel rather than the standard rectangle or 35mm perspective. I get the urge to reach out and touch the jellyfish or swim past them .

Utilizing a Crow for a silhouette image is perfect as the shape and bill of the bird are distinct and easily diagnostic for most viewers. I also think it's a fitting subect as it's already a black bird. The symmetrical framing is quite pleasing and brings in a sense of artistry.

While this image has a tack sharp Barn Owl in it, it does make for a nice portrait. What interests me even more however is the slightly out of focus city scape that's in the background. The skyline is a contradiction to the Owl's preferred habitat and yet demonstrates just how close our worlds are these days.

Not many animals command the same respect as a Leopard, even one gently resting as you see here. A slightly looser perspective is the right call as the tree creates some nice curves and an interesting perch as well. I'm glad to see the photographer was able to keep the extended tail within the frame.

Wow, talk about an action packed image! This shot was a show stopper as soon as I came across it. Capturing the Osprey at eye level eliminates distractions and brings an intimate perspective. Being able to see the fish and the splash where its tail was dragging is an added bonus. Amazing work!

This shot of a Yellow Throated Toucan is gorgeous as a portrait due to the color and surrounding textures. But what takes it to the next level is the suspended fruit in between the wide open bill. Credit to the photographer for being able to capture the perfect moment during this feeding sequence.

This image has quite the lineup and that's what makes it stand out. Using repetition is a strong compositional tactic and that's on display here by placing all three Dogs in a diagonal lineup. The extended tongues on the first two show a sense of character and the rich sky is a nice plus.

This Flamingo image can double as a painting and woulld make a good print to hang on the wall. The submerged bill and feeding brings out the ripples in the water, which add interest. There is a also a nice splash of color harmony here as the reds play off of the yellow foliage.

Most Alligator shots I come across have them positioned out in the open and looking rather harmless. It's the camouflage in this image that makes the subject intimidating and also adds in some natural framing. The two blades of grass cross the eye and help bring focus to it rather than distract.

I love to see animal images that introduce artificial or human made elements. Our worlds are constantly coming closer together as populations expand so it's important to document these connections. The lines and curves created by the rusty metal lead the viewer right to the Kingfisher. The drop of water below is also a nice touch.

This is a lovely portrait of a very pretty Dog. The exposure is on point here with focus on the subject and a shallow depth of field to render most of the grass and background soft. The backlight illuminates the fur and creates a pleasing rim light around the head and neck.