congratulations with your 4 place, I guess it had to be a winner,but I am an amateur and vote with my little of knowing what is good and what is best, and whatever. A good picture has to do with feeling for me, a great picture where everything is right, and I can't feel anything looking at it, is not a great picture to me. I know nothing of composition rules, I have my own!! But this picture of the bird catching his food, is so great, so natural, it is absolutely a winner to me!!!
Good morning from Yorkshire Al, thank you so much for the congratulations, I really appreciate it. Whilst I was here, I just looked at your beautiful hummingbirds album, I have had such a good time. You have some remarkable pictures there, they have been a joy to see. Birds are my favourite subject, bar none....it's great to see them through your eyes and lens too. Hope you have a terrific weekend, all the best, Andy.
Al, your picture is magnificent, I have to agree it is a wonderful (and difficult to take) shot. Congratulations on your 4th place, I'm sorry it didn't finish higher. Sincerely, Andy.
Hi Al, Congratulations with 4rth place! I agree with Peter, and I also think that many voters did not realise what they were looking at! a fabulou action shot, very hard to take and very special! It was great fun seeing your photo in the contest though...it certainly added some glamour! :) Viviane
Congrats on 4th place. I think the degree of difficulty required in yours was much higher than some that finished in front of you, but many don't appreciate that I guess. Anyway great entry, and I really enjoyed checking out all the different bird pics in the contest.
Al....my bird contest entry is on p. 13, third row down, 3rd (I think) from the left. It's a Blue and Gold Macaw named Smurf....titled "I Am Sooooooo Cool."
Al.....regarding Peter's question: I'm not positive but I believe it probably has to do with two phenomena...1) food supply available [insects] and 2) cave space. Over the last 10 years, 95% of the caves bats use have been lost in Mexico and wanton use of pesticides has caused the food supply to dwindle. Since they need to leave their young behind as they search out food, caves are paramount in importance. So they fly to Texas where the largest bat caves in North America are located. And no DDT to kill the young. If the mother eats pesticide ridden insects, the poison will be present in her milk and will affect the pups (bat babies are called pups). This is just a guess but I think I'm right on.
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh,,, thanks for adding me too AL!!! Great job on yur Fotki Forum Article!!! And I found the pic of the frog... go to comments!!! '-))) Gary
Hello, Thank you for being so understanding of my advice. If you don't mind me being forward again, I have a suspicion that you are one of those very talented people that often doubts their own ability. It may be the reason such reach the heights they do, always struggling for perfection and never realising just how high they reach. Take it from me, having perused your site (and I'm certain to be one of many thousands), you are an exceptionally good photographer. I am sure to visit your site on many occasions in the future. ___________________________
Peter,
You are probably right. I am not one of those people who walks out of WalMart and likes every print from the roll. I can find defects in every image I have ever taken.
I am fairly certain about my limited talent. After all, my motto is: "Whatever I lack in ability, I make up in equipment."
I'm just heading out, the images you posted are superb, I can't get over the vibrant colours exploding in that photo of the frog, what an amazing critter! A great contribution mate, thanks.
Peter _____________________________
Peter,
Thanks for your help and encouragement with the forum. Great idea of yours. Have a great day.
By the way, no saturation of any kind on tree frog. This guy is just naturally colorful.
Hello AL!!! You are so right!!! Thanks for your input on this People Pix forum... http://forum.fotki.com/fotkicom/11728432511/fotkins-collective-wisdom/wqwdrkgrsg/ I agree with what you said as well... Since there is not a polaroid to hand out I give my card with web address so they can check online to see their picture... It is amazing how even in remote areas people will have an e-mail address and a computer somewhere in the town they can use... I found this true in Costa Rica, Cambodia, Thailand, Romania, etc... and it still surprises me to get an email from a indigenous person of a third world country emailing me asking for the link!!! Cheers!!! Gary
PS... You have the coolest Avatar,,, always like seeing it as I travel about in Fotki!!!
PS2... I just added you to my friends list... hope that's ok... should have done that long ago,,, kinda gets outta hand after awhile!!! Anyway,,, Best Wishes!!! Gary
I think it's inspiring to see what can be achieved by someone who is committed to the task. It would also be great if you'd consider pasting a few pics into the post (using the Share Photo feature under the images in your albums)
Peter ____________________________
Peter,
Since my stuff is already public, I am pleased to share it.
You can be my agent any day.
Before you told me, I didn't know how to insert photos inside the forum you set up, but I will give it a try.
You're the best wildlife photographer I know, would you mind posting a basic "How To Photograph Wildlife" or "Birds" in the new Collective Wisdom section in the blog? It would be a real asset to the fotki community and I would love to hear your thoughts.
I wish you'd been here (Avon, IN) today. You'd have gotten great shots of wave upon wave of sandhills migrating northwest. It was great weather for flying and they took advantage of it. You have some wonderful photos posted. Thanks.
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