< Mini Challenge #72 – Urban Wildlife

jrnylst · February 27, 2009

And no, party animals don’t count! I don’t know that zoo animals count, either, but if the shot is good, definitely try it. I’m looking for wildlife co-existing with humans. Going on about their daily business even though we’ve sprawled all over their territory.

When I see wildlife in an urban corridor, I typically do everything I can to make it look like I’m not in the middle of the city. But sometimes showing the animal in its natural setting can be fun and/or humorous. Like watching a peregrine devour a pigeon on the window ledge of a high rise during a board meeting with wide-eyed, mouth agape out-of-town guests or clients who’ve never seen more than songbirds. Or finding an elk chewing cud in your front yard when you get home from a long day of work.

This challenge begins now (2:02 PM MST 27 Feb 09) and ends 12 PM MST 13 Mar 09.

GENERAL RULES

1. Have fun sharing and seeing what others share!
2. The host supplies a topic and you post 1-3 images. The host judges the winners (1st, 2nd and 3rd) and is not eligible to enter.
The 1st place winner then chooses the next topic, judges the winner and passes on the baton to the new champion.
3. Any photo you’ve taken is eligible, regardless of when taken or camera used.
4. Any amount of post-processing is allowed. However, it is helpful if you list your camera and lens along with your photo.
You may comment on other contestant's images. If you want someone to leave you some critique or criticism, put an asterisk (*) next to the title of the image.
5. The winner has up to three days (72 hours) to begin a new mini-challenge, or the honor goes to the #2 finisher and so forth.

Guidelines:

1. Enter 1-3 photos and put them in a single post.
2. Either embed your image in the thread or, if you must, supply a link to it. Keep in mind, however, most people don't want to click to open photos hosted elsewhere (i.e. on your website).
3. Also try and resize your photos prior to posting so they're sized appropriately for viewing without having to scroll (~800 pixels on the longest side works best.)
4. Give each image you enter a title.
5. Enjoy discussion with members about their images, don’t let this just be an entry thread!
6. Don’t be hesitant – share 'em and enter!

jrnylst · February 27, 2009

samples
After seeing some of the great entries that have already been posted, I'm hesitant to post my ancient, dinosaur samples. You all need no inspiration from me! You're doing great on your own!

These are all 100 years old or older

, scanned from 4x6 prints, taken back in the days of 35mm film. But I teased about two of them in the intro, so I suppose I need to put my pictures where my mouth is...

Raptor Rap

Lawn Ornament

You Decorated My Life

You are all doing great. Keep 'em coming!

JAG · February 27, 2009

1, Invasion of the iguanas...

2. why fly when you can take a boat!...

3. gulls on a hot tin roof..

Tango · February 27, 2009

jeez JAG, talk about setting the bar.... where the heck am i going to find lizards in the street

thanks Jrynlst, excellent theme

jeffmeyers · February 27, 2009

AaronNelson wrote:

jeez JAG, talk about setting the bar.... where the heck am i going to find lizards in the street

thanks Jrynlst, excellent theme

Just go buy something exotic and release it in a crowded mall. Snap the pictures and return the wild thing to the pet store. Then you win the mini challenge and can retire on the prize money. I've got it all figured out. :jfriend

Tango · February 27, 2009

jeffmeyers wrote:

Just go buy something exotic and release it in a crowded mall. Snap the pictures and return the wild thing to the pet store. Then you win the mini challenge and can retire on the prize money. I've got it all figured out. :jfriend

you have me figured out... this is what i was thinking: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nko_RQGCDm8

JAG · February 27, 2009

AaronNelson wrote:

you have me figured out... this is what i was thinking: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nko_RQGCDm8

hahaha! You crack me up!

Those iguanas are all over the place in St. Thomas...there like roaches all over the place!

W.W. Webster · February 27, 2009

Standing room only on the town wharf in Oamaru, New Zealand!

Trevlan · February 27, 2009

Jesus Christ. The only 'Wild Life' I get in the bronx on Squirrles and crap of that sort. :-(

"Trees are for the less sophisticated"

"She never showed up..."

"So that's where all the chicks hang out..."

dlplumer · February 27, 2009

W.W. Webster wrote:

Standing room only on the town wharf in Oamaru, New Zealand!

This is very cool.

dlplumer · February 27, 2009

Urban Hunter

Harmony

climbbike · February 27, 2009

I don't have any great entries for this category but I do have one funny one:

Confused Gull
This was taken in Vancouver BC while I was walking around the city. I thought it was so funny finding this poor gull on the blue tarp on top of a roof like he thought it was water or something. Just gave me a good chuckle.

dnie · February 27, 2009

Trevlan wrote:

Jesus Christ. The only 'Wild Life' I get in the bronx on Squirrles and crap of that sort. :-(

"Trees are for the less sophisticated"

Ok, so it isn't as exciting as a Moose in your front yard, but what ya gonna do? You get the best dang squirrel picture anyone has ever seen.

PaulThomasMcKee · February 27, 2009

Urban Hunter...
Too Cool!

Nice shot Dan.

Tango · February 27, 2009

Along the bike path...at sunrise

"its a big big world out there"

at the city fish ponds we get visitors all the time... it took me close to an hour to get close enough with my G10 to photograph this Great Blue Heron
(and i was rather excited to watch him snap a fish out of the water right in front of me...)

city center....
a bronze masterpiece at sunrise

dnie · February 27, 2009

AaronNelson wrote:

Along the bike path...at sunrise

at the city fish ponds we get visitors all the time... it took me close to an hour to get close enough with my G10 to photograph this Great Blue Heron
(and i was rather excited to watch him snap a fish out of the water right in front of me...)

city center....
a bronze masterpiece at sunrise

All very cool!
The little bird looks like he is sitting on a mountain top, love the DOF.
I get Herons a lot, but never, never ever, that close. Good job.
The bronze looks great... certainly says urban wildlife to me.

davev · February 28, 2009

I think the iguana shot will be tough to beat, but I'll try.:D

1

2

3

Trevlan · February 28, 2009

AaronNelson wrote:

Along the bike path...at sunrise

city center....
a bronze masterpiece at sunrise

Am I alowed to curse?

Trevlan · February 28, 2009

dnie wrote:

Ok, so it isn't as exciting as a Moose in your front yard, but what ya gonna do? You get the best dang squirrel picture anyone has ever seen.

Thanks Donna. You are too kind. ;-)

These shots are amazing. Good luck to the judge. Hahahahaha!

lisasolonynko · February 28, 2009

First Challenge Entry
Hi all,

This is my first entry. I have to say the images so far are amazing. I am hoping to become more involved with the forums and the challenges. Unfortunately, there is next to no "wildlife" in Cyprus ... not even squirrels, lol. If anyone were to actually see a bird, they should get their eyeful before someone comes along and shoots it with buckshot. Dogs and cats are the closest thing to wildlife here and they are mostly left to fend for themselves on the streets. Some people will own dogs so that when there are no birds to hunt they will hunt the dogs. Sad by true. I took this image yesterday as my husband and I were walking in the Occupied Territory of North Cyprus. Sorry for the long explanation, but I figured that some might wonder why I am posting an image of a dog.

Feedback is always welcome.

Lisa

Trevlan · February 28, 2009

lisasolonynko wrote:

Hi all,

Feedback is always welcome.

Lisa

Wow! That dog almost looks like a man. (The expression in his face.) Great entry!

lisasolonynko · February 28, 2009

Thanks for the feedback! That is exactly what I said to my husband when I saw him there. When seen much larger, he definitely looks like an old tired man. His eyes look exhausted but so full of wisdom.

I am glad you like it.

Lisa