Celebrating Nature Photo Contest Winners
The selections are in and below is the revelation of the Tamron lens winner. A special thanks to friend and professional photographer David Akoubian for his collaboration as a guest judge. David has been photographing for about 40 years and working as a nature photographer since 1993. He specializes in the grand and micro landscape.
"To me the image has it all! Capturing a bull as it calls on a cool frosty autumn morning. Calling in cows to its harem and warning other males to stay away. The colors captured around the animal simply adds to the mood of the image. The frost and dying foliage, symbolize to me the need for the animal to mate as things begin to edge towards the dormancy of winter. The fog created by the “bugle” of the bull is icing on the cake." - David Akoubian
"This image to me symbolizes all that has been and all that can be. The pathway leading you beside the perfectly painted pine tree takes you by our past and up the hill into the Milky Way, our future. I especially like the gap in the rocks where the trail will lead, it gives you a destination point on the trail lit in the foreground as well." - David Akoubian
"The capture of a moment that most would enjoy just seeing is always special. The owls, whether they be mutually preening or being involved in a courtship ritual will connect with the viewer because of the ability to assign a human characteristic and feeling. A tender moment captured that makes you want to hug an owl!" - David Akoubian
"An incredible composition utilizing the decompression capability of a wide angle lens. The rocks in the foreground with a nice cool hue on the water makes you want to walk through the image into the sunset. The long exposure makes you relax allowing the water to flow over onto the sand." - David Akoubian
"An incredible macro image that takes the viewer beyond a simple close up image. It creates a miniature landscape. The flower blooming and persevering in the frosty condition shows the struggle on a micro scale the need for the continuation of a plant’s life. The soft cool blue of the flower is enhanced by the soft frosty blues in the backlit background." - David Akoubian
"This image captures life and nature as we know it. It makes you wonder how many worlds are out there similar to ours and what creatures we would find. It is to me a symbol of an ageless universe. Kind of makes you feel insignificant, but in a beautiful way." - David Akoubian
"An incredible composition that shows the size, strength and power of nature. The farm structures are dwarfed by the tornado. A perfect example of why the rule of thirds should be ignored when possible. The placement of the funnel in the lower right gives depth and size to the overall storm. It also makes me feel like the worst is passing if I am on that farm. Placing the funnel so close to the edge gives the feeling of it leaving the frame." - David Akoubian
