Thank you to all the photographers that shared their best photos showing the beauty of birds in the The Beauty Of Birds Photo Contest with chances to win a Canon PowerShot N 12.1MP Camera and more!

A special thanks to our friend and professional photographer Anne McKinnell for her collaboration as a guest judge. Anne McKinnell is a photographer, writer and nomad. 5 years ago, Anne traded in a traditional career for a new life as a landscape and wildlife photographer. She lives in an RV and travels around North America photographing beautiful places and writing about travel, photography, and how changing your life is not as scary as it seems. You can read about her adventures on her blog and be sure to check out her free photography eBooks.

People's Choice
Grand Jury Winner

"I love everything about this photo! The adult hummingbird, the nest and the chicks are in perfect focus with excellent sharpness and detail. I like the off centre placement of the eye of the adult bird in the frame and how that balances out with branch on the other side. The branch running diagonally through the frame makes it feel energetic as well. Excellent composition! Also the depth of field is spot on with everything in the background out of focus so nothing draws our attention away from the scene. Even the colour palette is stunning with the way the colours of the bird match the branch and the background colours. In addition to the technical details, this photo captures a special moment between the adult hummingbird and the chicks bringing an emotional quality to the image. Well done!" - Anne McKinnell

Runner Up

"This photo definitely has the “awwww” quality because the chick appears to be hugging the adult bird’s beak. This is sooooo cute!! A very unique and emotional image. Also, both black birds and white birds are very difficult to photograph, but when a bird has both black and white it is extremely challenging to get an exposure that retains detail in the highlights and shadows. This photo has accomplished that. But also, a white bird on a white background also has it’s challenges and you’ve made both birds stand out against the background. Bravo!" - Anne McKinnell

Runner Up

"A beautiful image of two extremely colourful birds with excellent sharpness and detail. The way the birds are looking towards each other with their beaks pointing to each other makes the eye move around the frame in a circular manner which is very pleasing. I love the slightly diagonal line of the branch that makes the image feel much more dynamic than it would if it were straight. The shallow depth of field also removes any unwanted distractions that may have been in the background. A very nice composition! What makes this image extra special is the dragonfly because it creates that unique moment and gives the image a story telling quality. Nice job!" - Anne McKinnell

Runner Up

"Very creative! I’m not sure how this image is even possible, you must have waited forever for this perfect moment. This is the kind of image you cannot look at without smiling, it has such a joyful quality to it. I like how none of the birds obscures the chairs, and I think it’s important that we can see the eye of each bird. Even the chairs are nicely arranged in the frame with a little extra room on the right side. Perfect for the extra bird with no chair. I noticed the first comment that they look like they are playing musical chairs and it’s true! Nice composition, nice depth of field, and a magical moment in time." - Anne McKinnell

 

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" Tiny Mighty" by anitahogue

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"Three's Company" by lanatolle

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