Golden Flight
by Phocal

Comment by SJCarter:
Stunning. Got a 9 from me.

Golden Flight
by Phocal

Comment by IreneM:
Beautiful. Hope for top 3 for you.

Texturized
by Phocal

Comment by colorcarnival:
I've never seen an armadillo prepping for a leap lol. The detail you captured - especially with the fine hairs is great.

Texturized
by Phocal

Comment by snaffles:
Greetings from the Critique Club!

What, those things can run? Never would have guessed it, but bet it can dig like hell with those claws! I see that I was one of your 7s, so happy that I was :-) I do like the heavy plating and those hairs on the back over the bands. This is one of the very few times where I can say that I wouldn't have minded seeing a little more contrast and a hit of sharpening just to further emphasize that fantastical texture. The b/w is a good choice as that way the form of the armadillo draws us further in.

Hope this has been helpful!

Susan

Texturized
by Phocal

Comment by illini75:
Nice one

Golden Flight
by Phocal

Comment by Kodak:
Well done. I am not sure at what to look at or what is the focal point. I would have cropped into the bird a little. But great DOF and very sharp. I gave you a 7.

Texturized
by Phocal

Comment by clickodak:
Nice B/W Give 7

Texturized
by Phocal

Comment by PennyStreet:
He's a playful little thing, isn't he..... not sure I'd want to pet him though.

Golden Flight
by Phocal

Comment by tate:
ominous and theatric. Lovely shapes, tones, and moment caught.

GBH
by Phocal

Comment by sidpixel:
Hello from the Critique club

An excellent image that meets the challenge well

I can understand and relate to your comments wholeheartedly, I am equally confused by the voters reaction having just commented an image that scored a lot higher than yours and yet this both in terms of the challenge and the image itself is the better image in my opinion. You've certainly filled the frame well here and you've nailed the sharp focus that is essential for this type of image. Your manipulation of the image with the canvas is only faintly evident with the benefit of your description which, of course, the voters don't have the benefit of. The difference in the canvas part is such that it would be perfectly acceptable in an original image. I love the twin shadows from his crest on the back of hos neck, I think you've made an excellent job of everything about the image and I commend you.

Thank you for your entry.