Shore Lunch
Maker: Curt Murray -- 39 points 1st Place Judge's comments: Nice light on the wings; great 'catch'; very sharp; nice composition Maker's comments:
Northern Flicker
Maker: David Skoog -- 37 points 2nd Place Judge's comments: Very nice lighting; sharp; catch light in the eye; great color; might crop on right to eliminate out of focus end of branch Maker's comments:
Enjoying the Sunset
Maker: Joe Baumann -- 36 points 3rd Place Judge's comments: Lighting creates an awesome mood; beautiful bokeh; great detail; would like to see the rest of the tail Maker's comments:
Squirrel Monkey - Costa Rica
Maker: Bob Mueller -- 32 points Hon. Mention Judge's comments: There is mpact seeing into the eyes; appears deep in thought; very sharp; there is a merger with branch at the chin; soft foreground leaf a bit distracting Maker's comments:
The Social Gathering - Roosevelt Elk
Maker: Bob Mueller -- 32 points Hon. Mention Judge's comments: Great mood and color; long format suits image well; interesting mix of generations; a lot to look at Maker's comments:
Quiet Morning
Maker: Dave Halverson -- 31 points Hon. Mention Judge's comments: Very nice colors and touches of fog; great reflection; no strong center of interest Maker's comments:
Wood Duck
Maker: David Skoog -- 31 points Voted Acc. Judge's comments: Beautiful bird; very colorful; very sharp; great reflection; both head and tail have mergers Maker's comments:
Woke Up on the Wrong Side of the Nest
Maker: Joe Baumann -- 30 points Judge's comments: Nice perspective and depth of field which is narrow, but the bird is within it; well-placed Maker's comments:
A "Courting" Sandhill Crane
Maker: Sonja Haske -- 29 points Judge's comments: Great pose; beautiful moment; fills the frame well; good, true color; crane is not quite sharp Maker's comments:
foggy morning
Maker: Cindy Hanson -- 29 points Judge's comments: Nice mood; pretty colors; fog adds interest; very relaxing; might crop the bottom to eliminate the weeds Maker's comments:
There can never be too many pictures of butterflies!
Maker: Donnalee Hoelzen -- 29 points Judge's comments: Nice angle and sharpness; background feels mystical; crop is just a little tight Maker's comments:
We See You!
Maker: Paula Clements -- 28 points Judge's comments: Very cute image; exciting capture; like how they are peeking; image is very bright and could be sharper Maker's comments:
Busy Beaver Was Here
Maker: Rachel Teske -- 25 points Judge's comments: Nice diagonal placement; good color Maker's comments:
Nice Catch
Maker: Dave Halverson -- 22 points Judge's comments: Like that the eagle is flying into the frame; nice wings and splash of water; longer lens would help fill the frame Maker's comments:
Misty Horse
Maker: Daniel McKenzie -- 18 points Judge's comments: Domesticated animal does not fit the category; resubmit in Open Maker's comments: Nikon D500 cameraF/5.6, 1/650 sec, ISO-1600, 140mmPasture near Hokah, MN