Early Morning Catch
Maker: Wanda Finn -- 37 points 1st Place Judge's comments: Very sharp; great lighting; no distractions; background is nicely out of focus; head is where it needs to be; catch light in the eyes Maker's comments:
Frosted Fall
Maker: Kristi Olson -- 35 points 2nd Place Judge's comments: Simple composition; good tonal qualities; fills the frame; very sharp; excellent detail Maker's comments:
Frosted Elm Leaves
Maker: Cyndy Thorn -- 35 points 3rd Place Judge's comments: Very simple; nice bokeh background; leaves are sharp Maker's comments:
Fall in the Tetons
Maker: Austin Miller -- 34 points Hon. Mention Judge's comments: Nice colors; great sky; beautiful colors; different layers add depth Maker's comments:
Nature's Sandbox
Maker: Mary Ann Roesler -- 32 points Hon. Mention Judge's comments: Nice leading line; pastels in the sky are very pleasing in contrast to the harsh lighting in the foreground Maker's comments:
Fat Mallard
Maker: Al Sheldon -- 31 points Judge's comments: Very sharp; might pop more if there were more room to move Maker's comments:
Cardinal in Snow
Maker: Shirley Gates -- 31 points Hon. Mention Judge's comments: Red pops against the snow; good placement within the format; background is well-handled as is the snow Maker's comments:
Hidden
Maker: Mike Hanson -- 31 points Hon. Mention Judge's comments: The yellow eye stands out; nice muted colors throughout; owl is sharp; potential distractions are well-managed Maker's comments:
Columbine
Maker: Doyle Gates -- 30 points Judge's comments: Good composition with soft curves; pleasing colors; good exposure; nice background; the bud is in focus, but not all of the flower Maker's comments:
Frosty Milkweed
Maker: Shirley Gates -- 29 points Judge's comments: Nice composition; there is some separation of ice from background but might like to see more detail in the frost Maker's comments:
Bald Eagle & Nest
Maker: Al Sheldon -- 28 points Judge's comments: Very unique capture; great composition and color; tells a nice story; the eagle is a little soft Maker's comments:
Fall Reflection
Maker: Ken Truax -- 28 points Judge's comments: Very calming and relaxing; the water is like a mirror; very nice colors; discussion regarding cropping from the sides Maker's comments:
Nuthatch
Maker: Brandon Wanke -- 27 points Judge's comments: The whites in the bird are well-handled; nice angle; the bird is sharp; the background is a little bright Maker's comments:
Great Blue Heron Sibling Fun
Maker: Sonja Haske -- 26 points Judge's comments: Rare catch; great interaction between the birds; the nest is quite bright; needs a little more depth of field; birds may not be equally sharp Maker's comments:
Bee on Flower #2
Maker: Eileen Roesler -- 26 points Judge's comments: Good catch; nice colors; the bright yellow flower behind the flower with the bee draws the eye; background elements distract from the bee Maker's comments:
Fuzzy Fern
Maker: Brandon Wanke -- 26 points Judge's comments: Nice curve; good color; background is well-done; image is soft Maker's comments:
Were you talking to me?
Maker: Mike Hanson -- 25 points Judge's comments: Simple composition; background very well done; suggest a little more depth of field for a sharper subject Maker's comments:
Just a Simple Wildflower
Maker: Phyllis Feiock -- 25 points Judge's comments: There is a very pleasant feel to this image; very simple; nice composition; pretty whites; the eye seems to be drawn the dark upper corners Maker's comments:
Out for a Walk
Maker: Jerry Weigel -- 24 points Judge's comments: Fills the frame; well-separated from the background; would like to see the other foot; very closely cropped; appears over-sharpened Maker's comments: