Hi Gert

OUCH. No, it's not the image that caused the pain. It was when I pinched myself
just to confirm that I'm awake and not dreaming.

In dreams one sometimes may see the world in more intense colours and better
defined details than in real life. Ok, I suppose it also depends what kind of strange
substance might have been involved (chuckle). But for a moment there, when I
opened this posting, I was a bit unsure whether I am in a dream state. Eventually
it came to me that it's probably only the amazing "ellis" magic playing an illusion
of authenticity. I was waiting for the shrike to transform into an ugly duckling and
the rest of the image to covert into a revolting mess, but no, the longer I looked
the more I grasped the fact that what I saw was the genuine truth and that was
just an awesome reality.

Ok, I gather by now you discerned just how much I love it. Every little bit of it.

Great stuff MF and TFS.
Regards
Loot

Hi Niek

Great tree…(chuckle). No seriously, it has a lovely shape for such a "silhouette"
shot. You made good use of the grasses in the foreground to provide some bit
of leading or additional interest. Clearly you though about and planned the image
before releasing the shutter. I like the gradually changing colour of the sky. From
azure to a deep midnight blue. This actually ensured that the empty sky did not
appear drab or uninteresting. The 1/3 rule for composition was neatly applied both
horizontally and vertically (even though this may not necessarily be a decree cast
in concrete).

Well done and TFS.
Regards
Loot

Hi Zahoor

A lovely frontal capture of this beautiful Purple Sunbird. I like the way how the rock
delivers the bird in to the frame. Although you had to deal with some backlit scenario
you managed quite well to contain the light and still get good balance in the contrast.
It sure gave you a lovely pose with the open beak. Must have been singing a lovely
song for you. That BG is absolutely stunning.

Well done and TFS.
Regards
Loot

Hi Silvio

Certainly a different POV than usual, but I find it quite refreshing to see a butterfly
shot at this angle. Good detail and lovely colours with a distant isolated BG yielding
an excellent enhancement of the subject.

Well done and TFS.
Regards
Loot

Hi Victor

I just love a rear view shot of a bird, especially when it turned its head so one not
only see the detail of the tail and wing tips, but also get a good view of the head.
This beauty gave you a good looking.

The low slanted late afternoon (well actually early evening) light came in at a good
angle to lighten up the under parts of this Oystercatcher. The golden quality of the
light also provided a beautiful tinge to bird. The positioning of the rocks and the bird
resulted in a pleasant composition.

Well done and TFS.
Regards
Loot

Hi Sion

Great stuff. A lovely full bodied shot showing all limbs and features very well. If you
will pardon my excitement, but it is good to see when someone takes the advice
received positively and do work on it. Now for the next step, the composition. When
one photograph an animal (even humans or things like cars, etc.) it is always good
to leave some space in front of the subject to be able to move into. In this case the
cropping on the left side is still a little tight. Because the penguin's body is facing
towards the left it needs some room for movement and as it is currently it seems as
if the bird are going to walk right out of the frame. Otherwise you've captured good
detail and the colour saturation is nice and natural.

Well done and TFS.
Regards
Loot

Hi Ori

You have captured amazingly sharp detail of this lovely plant showing the fine hair
and features with great precision. An interesting (creative) composition showing the
two parallel stems running through the diagonal of the frame. Eye-catching colours
soothes the eyes. The showing of the buds, the flowers, and the fruit provides us a
good visual understanding of the full cycle of this "Scutellaria altissima".

Well done and TFS.
Regards
Loot

Hi Marius

The Mallard must be the best represented duck on TrekNature, but I just never
cease to appreciate the beauty of this bird. This posting managed to confirm my
admiration. The colour tones in the reflection and the small ripples on the surface
of the water all adds to the mood of this shot. The sharp details together with the
lovely colour saturation makes the image rather pleasant on the eye.

Well done and TFS.
Regards
Loot

Hi Luciano

Wow, this is an amazing portrait of the Mute Swan. The OOF and dark BG really do
enhanced the bird just beautifully. Excellent details are seen especially in the facial
area and those little droplets of water all over the swan. Great stuff. A perfect and
well compiled composition for a portrait shot.

Very good work and TFS.
Regards
Loot

Hi Jim

Looks like you had to contain a very bright mid-day sun. The intense light played a
bit of a trick on my eyes. Initially upon opening the image I thought that the insect
might be slightly soft, but then I had a closer look and I realised that the details are
actually rather sharp and well defined. As I said, it was only the light that bluffed me.
Maybe you could have decreased the exposure level a slight bit which also would
have had an positive influence on the density. I like the diagonal positioning of the
damselfly inside the frame.

Well done and TFS.
Regards
Loot