THE TOP 5
Over the past 2 years I've taken over half a million photos
and of those, these were the only ones to make it into the top 0.001%
#5
While photographing this owlet up a tree, people would come and go as nothing seemed to be happening until about an hour later after the other photographers left. The owlet while trying to climb higher up the tree ended up falling down to the ground. At first it just seemed to sit right at the base of the tree before it decided to take shelter in the bushes behind. Just before it made its move, I was able to capture this stunning portrait with the bushes it later travel to and the setting sun grazing upon its feathers.
#4
While I typically don't enjoy photos taken from the zoo as you often have to shoot through very dirty glass or end up with fences in the way, this time was an exception. Perched together right in the open was this pair of Blue-and-yellow Macaws. I had to do some moving around to try and find a background without any buildings in the background but after a bit of searching I eventually found a gap with some trees being lit up in the distance. The result is a lovely portrait of the two back to back.
#3
Sometimes action happens so fast you have 0 time to think. As I'm walking back to my car I end up seeing this Great Egret take flight so I quickly pull up my camera and start firing away. It ends up landing right in front of me no more than 20 feet away. I managed to just capture it as it caught what appears to be a small fish as it raised its wings in the orange glow of the setting sun.
#2
This day nearly broke my camera. After walking the shoreline for a few hours avoiding the waves crashing into the rocks and being entirely covered in sand, I end up spotting a little sanderling run up to this small puddle left over from the high tide. After a bit of getting its feathers wet, it proceeds to start flapping its wings and I managed to capture this perfect frame with the water droplets flying around and the beautiful bokeh balls from all the reflections in the background. I had to cut the day short as my shutter button became stuck from sand making its way in but even if it broke my camera, this photo makes it worth it.
Honorable mentions
"The God shot" as someone on Discord puts it. While I'm primarily a wildlife photographer, I just had to act when half a million in cars pulled up while on my way back to my car. Light with the GT3 RS was good but when they rolled out the F8 the light really started to shine. I managed to pull of this unique angle in the wheel showcasing the badge in a way I've never seen before and a shot so detailed, you can see the sunset in the lug nuts.
The one who started my photography journey had to be included. While I've seen many wonderful portraits of dogs, I'm not sure I've seen any of cats. I get that they don't listen but with enough patience and countless days spent outside, anything is possible.
#1
While it may not have crazy action or be the most rare subject in the world, This is still my favorite capture in my entire career. Taken on a setup that costs a tenth of what most other photographers there had, is the most perfect portrait I've ever taken. The slight rim light, creamy foreground and background, and the golden light perfectly complementing the Great Blue Heron makes this an easy choice for my #1 spot.
