Well, I started looking at this thread about 10 hours ago, and just finished Not sure what to say, other than 'Wow", well, let's say it again "WOW"!
I had an incredible opportunity this year to watch an Osprey pair from Nest Building, through Egg Laying, growing Chicks, Fledging and then, sadly, leaving. 2 of these images, well really a WHOLE lot more but I won't bore you , are special to me. The first is not an Ospry, but is of the nest of a pair of Canada Geese that was on the piling next to the Osprey nest. Dumb me, I thought the Mother Goose was dead, but then realized she was sitting on eggs.
Yes, that really is a big old honkin' Gold Fish, I'm pretty sure that Mama raided somebodies backyard Koi pond ....
I hate trying to pick "favorites", how can I leave out the first flight of one of the three Osprey chicks? Learning to fish? The Golden Glow of sunset? I was truly blessed by this Osprey family this year, and completely humbled by simply being able to watch the little Goslings as well as the Osprey leave the nest for the first time. It was truly a sad day when they all left for the winter.
Very difficult decision between "my best" vs "most memorable". I don't think "my best" holds a candle to most of the exceptional photos on this thread so I decided on "my most memorable". The wildebeest migration in the Masaai Mara which was recently given a "Worlds Wonder" designation was by far the most incredible wildlife experience I have ever witnessed. The sheer number of animals producing the most amazing sounds and sights was my wildlife highlight for 2006 and maybe of all time!
Eric
retief wrote:
I had an incredible opportunity this year to watch an Osprey pair from Nest Building, through Egg Laying, growing Chicks, Fledging and then, sadly, leaving.
I hate trying to pick "favorites", how can I leave out the first flight of one of the three Osprey chicks? Learning to fish? The Golden Glow of sunset? I was truly blessed by this Osprey family this year, and completely humbled by simply being able to watch the little Goslings as well as the Osprey leave the nest for the first time. It was truly a sad day when they all left for the winter....Show more →
What a treat it must have been for you to follow this osprey family. Just to be able to watch and record the antics of the hatchlings/fledglings would have made my season.
- Ken
I'd like to say I stalked this wiley hawk for days to get this shot. However, the truth is he landed in the tree right out my office window, and my camera happened to be within easy reach. The shot was taken through the glass window.
Even though I am not supposed to reply to the photos I just have to on Madguys bird shots, he asked for critiques on some other shots and then I heard through the grapevine he was very unhappy with what I said.
The birds shots are great photography John, well composed, great lighting and all around top notch professional work, this is exactly the kind of work as well as your landscapes that you should continue to focus on, here lies your true talent in my opinion.
Life for the great herds of wildebeest in the Serengeti & Masai Mara ecosystem is a constant struggle. As the grasses of the Serengeti dry out every year around June/July, the animals instinctively march north on a perilous journey in search of fresh grazing. During this annual migration the animals face many hazards. Several succumb to predators such as Lion and Hyena, finally crossing the Grumeti and Mara rivers both of which swarm with huge and hungry crocodiles. While many thousands of the animals die in this difficult journey, still many more hundreds of thousands survive and make it every year to the Masai Mara.
I had planned my trip to Kenya for many many months in advance paying very careful attention to the dates to try and catch a river crossing. When it actually happened for me on the 17th of July this year I could not believe what I was seeing. I had even bought myself a DSLR and lenses in earlier in May especially for this trip. I feel a great emotion in this this image which epitomizes the triumph of struggle for success.
Thanks everyone for looking and wish all a Merry Xmas and a Happy 2007.
Edited by mabidally on Dec 08, 2006 at 01:14 PM GMT
My neighborhood has a rather large population of feral cats, and I deal with them on a daily basis. There is one clutter that I'd developed some kind of relationship with, although they still remind me that they are dangerous and wild. There are three kittens; The "Twins", and "Gimpy", who is a tail-less and handicapped kitten who has been able to survive. Their mother, "Mama" watches her young get close to me from a distance, but no matter what she won't get close and any sign of movement from me will send her off running. Anyhow, I picked this picture because it reminds me of the relationship I have with this wild animal:
johanbrink wrote:
I feel FM has helped me tremendously as well in a variety of ways and just want to say thanks. This is a shot of a very endangered Cape Griffon Vulture taken very late in the afternoon. Most amazing experience I have ever had.
That flight shot of a Grifon vulture is stunning - a super image.
Would really appreciate if you share some technical data like was it with an IS lens with IS on and if so in which mode, was it hand held or off a tripod/monopod and what focus mode - was it Servo, and were you shooting in HS burst mode?
Wow, there are some way cool shots here ... as always! Since I saw a few bugs here, I realized they're nature as well ... more to the point, it was a toss up between this pic and the one I posted in the macro best of thread.
I was board looking for something to shoot while visiting the in-laws. The wild flowers in Oregon remind me of a happy place I can go to get away. I love the color and simplicity, it may not be my best shot but it is my favorite.
Lots of excellent images here. Thank you all for sharing.
Here is one of my better shots for the year. I like it because it just isn’t all that often you get to photograph a wild grizzly and her cubs.
))
Not sure what to say, other than 'Wow", well, let's say it again "WOW"!
? - realize that this piling is about 15 feet high
