Bird Photo Competition 4 2020 : Results

  • Competition Winner : First Prize
  • $590.00
  • Judges Comment
  • One of the numerous options to achieve a successful bird image is to capture a distinctive aspect of bird behaviour. Most major bird photography competitions have a section dedicated to these types of shots and this image is a good example of a behaviour called 'kleptoparasitism', in which birds steal food from other birds. Some bird species have become so successful in attaining food in this way that it becomes a specialism, as it has for these Skuas (also known as Jaegers), which chase birds such as this Kittiwake relentlessly until they give up their catch. By including a line of three Skuas in this image (possibly a family group), the photo tells a story as well as simply depicting a behaviour.
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • A strong 'birdscape' in which the heron merely adds a focal point to the magnificent swamp backdrop.
  • Photographers Comment
  • Thank you so much for the recognition. My name is Angela Poggioni. I am Italian but I have been living in New York for many years. This photo was taken in the marshes of Louisiana, an underground world barely lit but incredibly rich of wildlife. I used Nikon D750 with Nikon 70-200mm lens.
  • https://www.facebook.com/angelanaturephoto
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • Quite a pleasing outline of the kite, but this shot is all about the shapes in the warmly lit, hazy background.
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • A stark habitat shot showing a well camouflaged ptarmigan sitting tight, possibly to avoid the predator perched at the top-right of the frame.
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • The colours and contours of the ice provide an unusual setting for the sole avian subject.
  • Mark Of Excellence
  • Judges Comment
  • A bold contre-jour study featuring a combination of direct and transmitted light as well as silhouettes.
  • Photographers Comment
  • Nina Bradica, thank you so much, I took this shot by a lake in Pennsylvania using my Canon T4i camera.