Observing Wildlife
by Phocal

Comment by IreneM:
Fabulous image, crystal clear.

Spin Cycle
by Phocal

Comment by sidpixel:
Hello from the critique club

An interesting image that contributes well to the free study challenge

You know Ronnie, I really feel for you, once more you produce an excellent nature study which has an unjustifiably low score and worse still not even one comment! I could probably say more but I wont, anyway, I for one appreciate your efforts.

Over here the bittern is one of our shyest most difficult birds to even see let alone capture like this, we usually only get to hear their booming call. I can easily imagine how much time, patience and energy has gone into getting this result, your timing and technical approach is commendable. I can only assume that the softness of the bird has been misunderstood but I like the motion blur of his head together with the sharp dynamics of the prey and its droplets, for me it puts the emphasis on the poor prey. I like it Ronnie and look forward to more of your excellent images, well done.

FYI, I Bite
by Phocal

Comment by sidpixel:
Hello from the critique club

An appealing image that meets the challenge

I would agree with your commenter you certainly have these alligators well sussed. Obviously everything is over-saturated but is that purple really the natural hue this may help explain why it didn’t score higher it leaves it looking somewhat unnatural. Your composition is good with the ‘gator emerging from the right with looking space to the left it works well.

FYI, I Bite
by Phocal

Comment by tylskie:
I have literally no idea why this got placed so low. It is an amazing shot, and I think the over saturation actually works for the picture as a whole.

On Golden Light
by Phocal

Comment by Melethia:
Gorgeous light indeed!

On Golden Light
by Phocal

Comment by sidpixel:
Hello from the critique club

An interesting image that contributes well to the open challenge

A great image Ronnie. Nice composition placing the bird in the most appropriate position. What makes the image is the lovely dawn rim lighting from the sunset. This is not the easiest of exposures but you have managed well to control the potential underexposure resulting from the backlighting, there is good detail in the birds face and feathers. You have nailed good focus where it should be on the bird̢۪s eyes. These lovely birds are quite rare over here in the UK, to see one at all is an event in itself but together with this lovely lighting is most unique, well done.

On Golden Light
by Phocal

Comment by pradeep_kmpk14:
excellent light

On Golden Light
by Phocal

Comment by Gordon_1:
I like how you caught the light on the bird good detail and colour good detail and composition the sharpness is amazing looking at its head so define

Squeeze the Piss Out..............
by Phocal

Comment by sidpixel:
Hello from the critique club

An appealing image that makes a significant contribution to the challenge.

Well done Ronnie, a cracking image with a cracking lens, a great start with your new acquisition. Your chosen technique of manual focus has undoubtedly saved the day here, so often when there are foreground reeds as here the focus will suddenly flip just at that critical moment, you have avoided that problem, well done. As for the image itself well, it really has everything, down to good timing and patience on your part. You really have got your wildlife shots well nailed. As for the pee, I think I might too in that situation!

Squeeze the Piss Out..............
by Phocal

Comment by jomari:
Great capture.