Winners Of Mini Challenge #1

davev · May 11, 2008

First off, I'd like to say thank you to everybody that entered or made a comment on some of the shots.

My first run through the shots, I had 12 finalists, from there I got it down to the 5 in this thread.

Getting right into it, here are my favorites.

HM goes to: BPerron
Although I'm not really sure if the gosling is flying, I'm sure in it's head it thinks it is.:D

3rd Runner up: saurora
You were able to get a very good exposure on this shot. The light silhouetting the fish in the bill is great.

2nd Runner up: WildWally
This is a stunning photo. The exposure is perfect, there's action and great colors. I may have cropped it a little differently, removing some of the tree branches, but that's about it.

1st Runner up: vandana
Tack sharp, perfect exposure, great color and contrast makes this a very good shot.

And the Winner is: jwear.
This is just one of those shots that make you say WOW.
Although I think that some of the runner up shots were exposed slightly better, the action and the nature story of survival wins out. (at least for me)
The sharp eye, on the bird and fish, the water flying about, the talons grabbing hold makes this shot my winner.

The brass ring has now been handed off to you Jwear.
It is now your Mini Challenge.
Pick a topic and make the rules that you'd like us to live by.

Thanks again to everyone that participated in the first of hopefully many Mini Challenges.

Later.

WildWally · May 11, 2008

Congrats to jwear !!! Such an awesome capture of a beautiful bird with his lunch !!! (or lunch for the boss/wife/

)
And a thank you to davev (Dave) for hosting this mini-challenge . I am very humbled to be included in the top 5 , as their were some very stunning shots .
Looking forward to the next mini-challenge to view more of everyones great photos !!!!
Well done all !!!

The Curious Camel · May 11, 2008

congrats to the top 5 winners.
Awesome shots.

Peace, gail.

It was fun viewing others shots as well and being in the challenge.

DaddyO · May 11, 2008

Congratulations to all the winners.

thumb

With so many awesome shots submitted it could not have
been easy to narrow down the field.

Dee · May 11, 2008

Congrats
to the top five!

saurora · May 11, 2008

Wow, I am totally stunned to be amongst the top 5!!!

Thanks Dave for the comments and for starting this contest! Congrats to jwear, truly an awesome bird photographer and this shot is killer. The combination of sharpness and action, especially the water flying, really make this shot for me. BPerron's gosling is absolutely a wonderful catch! WildWally's blue heron was one of my favorites. It reminds me of an oriental painting. And Vandana's goose is so sharp it looks like it's coming straight out of my monitor! Lots of great shots everyone!

redleash · May 11, 2008

All of these were great shots! This is a cool idea for a contest and a great way to learn and enjoy others' work. Thanks to everyone. Lauren

jwear · May 11, 2008

WOW thanks Dave

I will pm you about the challenge
A few comments
BPerron well I think this shot is a bif

but B bird I is F falling

very cute shot
Saurora this is a great shot [loved it this first time I saw it] great capture and shows the art of a back lit shot

and thanks for the kind words
Wildwally very nice GBH

vandana
this is about as good as it gets exposure and detail

I have no comment about that Jeff guy

but he was lucky :ivar

special mention Aaron 's hawk sherstone eagle and the crow this was a great capture Richards eagle

chrisj good exposure on the tv [not easy] rkneckt your eagle shots

1st one was

it does have the wow factor and curios yor owl was real nice
thanks again, my first win at dgrin.Now I have to think of something

oh boy

evoryware · May 12, 2008

Congrats to all especially the winner! I love how it's sharp where it matters but the wing is blurred.

I wanted to enter my favorite, but it's an Ostrich from Africa and they don't fly. Many of the birds I saw over there weren't flying. LoL!

vandana · May 12, 2008

wow, this is great !! Thank you ! Bifs are what I love to do

thanks for the topic and contest Davev.

those were some awesome shots from everybody ; loved seeing all of them.
jwear - congrats !! what a cool action-packed shot

, love that water splashing all over. Did you expect the action and were ready or ..?! just curious..how does one get that kind of a shot ?!

My snow goose shot was taken at Bosque Del apache NWR in New Mexico last season. the migration season runs from Nov-Feb each year. Great place to take bifs and more. Do visit if you all get a chance !

thanks all

anwmn1 · May 12, 2008

awesome stuff from everyone. The top are all fantastic shots with the winning shot having that extra WOW factor.

okay jwear- all eyes and ears on you.

BPerron · May 12, 2008

davev wrote:

HM goes to: BPerron
Although I'm not really sure if the gosling is flying, I'm sure in it's head it thinks it is.:D

Wow, I made HM...That is amazing considering the photos that were submitted. I do agree that he is not flying, but he sure was trying to fly from that curb, his tiny undeveloped wings were flailing trying as hard as he could.

Anyways, thanks again Dave for the suggestion and taking the time to do a mini challenge.