Raptors

This was a tough competition to judge and I really deliberated over the top ten images. This is a wonderful choice of subject composition with relevance to the brief - focus is immediately brought to the Owls eyes. The balance of colours in the image in relation to the background work really well with the added Depth of field at the point of focus - again drawing the viewer to the face and predominantly, the eyes. The focus on one eye works really well as it's balanced perfectly with the whole subject in focus but slightly more focus on the forefront subject. A wonderfully thought out and presented image. WELL DONE.

This was a tough competition to judge and I really deliberated over the top ten images. What I like about this capture is the actual age and framing of the subject. It's a great take on the subject theme, thinking outside the box for a different view. The owl is very young, still in its nest I imagine but even at this young age you can see how much they are focused on their surroundings, the alertness, how well those big beautiful eyes will help them for the rest of their life. A beautifully focused image. WELL DONE.

This was a tough competition to judge and I really deliberated over all the fantastic images. I love this image. The moment captured is perfection. To be able to track a bird in high powered flight while remaining in focus is extremely hard but with a bird potentially going into a dive and high powered role, even more so but you've cracked it. 
The emotions and motives of the hawk are clearly displayed, it's in full hunting mode and ready to use it skills of those big powerful eyes and talons to swoop in on its prey. I love originality and point of view. WELL DONE.

This was a tough competition to judge and I really deliberated over the top ten images. This shot was a no brainier though, it captured the brief and what I was hoping for. To capture a bird in flight is hard enough, but to see one actually having a meal on the go is brilliant. The photo originally looked out of focus but I think that's more to do with the format on here rather than the photo as it's spot on when you open it up. The composition, relevance to the brief, colours, sharpness of the image, Depth of field and the point of focus in capturing a moment and emotions - you tick all the boxes with this one. 
I simply love it. WELL DONE.

This was a tough competition to judge and I really deliberated over the top ten images. This shot stood out to me in a variety of ways and for me captured the essence of my hopes for this brief. This image brings up all sorts of emotions for humans but it's nature after all. What truly shines through is the absolute determination of this female sparrow hawk, this capture really depicts the talents of the hawks ability to live up to the term Raptor - derived from the Latin word Rapere, meaning to "seize" or be "taken by force". Her resolute focus on the starling propels itself out of the photo to the subject viewing it. It truly does show the term "taken by force". The keen sharp focus on the hawks eyes and the demeanour of the prey itself, also adds further dimensions. A truly spectacular moment captured. WELL DONE.

This was a tough competition to judge and I really deliberated over the top ten images. For me, with this it was the simplicity of capturing of a moment that appealed. The naturalness of composition enhances the picture and adds to its effectiveness rather than draw away from it which could easily happen with a "blank" background. Simple yet effective and straight to the point. The kestrel is completely focused and this is delivered very effectively to the viewer. A very cleverly composed image. WELL DONE.

This was a tough competition to judge and I really deliberated over the images. This image in particular I kept coming back to over and over. The Hawks physical focus on his prey, the out stretched legs, paused talons - they all really give the image an edge and well, the poor little fella below hasn't got a clue the hawk is there. My only personal thoughts are the editing lets it down slightly. It was once said to me, "if you edit a photo, make sure you do it right or leave it alone" - I spotted some cloning and blending marks around and below the squirrel, some of which have created lines in the sand and the shadows are subsequently slightly off due to this. So be sure to take a quick last look before you finish up to make sure it's all tidy. Personally to me the proportions feel a little strange too and I'll be brutally honest, I believe it's possibly two images blended together to create this scene... Am I correct in thinking that! It is a cleaver concept that works well either way and You really do get a sense of atmosphere and tension and it narrowly missed out on the top 10. A nice image non the less - WELL DONE.

This was a tough competition to judge and I really deliberated over the top ten images. The sharpness of this image is beautifully balanced to the point where it gives a perfect Depth of Field, through the focus of the kestrel on a single coloured background. The kestrels actual gaze is enhanced by the sharpness of the shot, allowing the viewers focus to be drawn to the eyes which subsequently flows down to the feet. A very well composed shot. WELL DONE.

This was a tough competition to judge and I really deliberated over all the fantastic images. The choice of subject composition with this Owl is harmoniously peaceful. Birds of Prey are often portrayed as voracious and powerful, which is standardly correct. But it's also nice to see the other side of them. The vulnerability in this image almost makes me wonder if she is under threat herself. A interesting take on the subject. WELL DONE.

This was a tough competition to judge and I really deliberated over the top ten images. The use of colour splash in images can sometimes be a big risk or a bit hit and miss but in this instance it works perfectly. The colour splash in the eyes along with the remainder of the image being presented in B&W really adds a depth to it. The motion in the wings and the feet trailing gracefully behind is all perfectly timed. I also get the feeling of Im watching you. Brilliant idea. WELL DONE.

This was a tough competition to judge and I really deliberated over all the fantastic images. This is a wonderful image with great features that drew me to it. The detailing on feathers surrounding the eye are well presented giving it a great essence although the image might benefit from a less sharpe crop to include the beak in full, and possibly just a little more time in setting your main focus angle as the shadow and reflection cast upon the eye is a shame, but then again trying to shoot live subjects, especially animals - things don't always go to plan so I appreciate this is not always easy to do. There's lots to remember I find, and I don't always remember it myself. I really love that you get a feeling of the birds personality shinning through in this shot. He looks rather cheeky. Great originality. WELL DONE.

This was a tough competition to judge and I really deliberated over the images. This image in particular I kept coming back to and with such tough competition it narrowly missed out on a top 10. I count it as my 11th award. I love the composition and choice of subject, showing you're not afraid to think outside the box. The sharpness of the image, point of view/angle of the shot and post-processing/Photoshop work are purely perfection in capturing a moment and emotions. Perfect originality. WELL DONE.