Possible subject for the May photo contest

[Grumpy Old Guy]

Last edited Thu Apr 29, 2021, 12:28 PM - Edit history (1)

Hi folks,

Tell me what you think of the following subject for the May photo contest.

"Critters of the world"

This would include any and all creatures, as long as they're wild. No pets, farm animals, zoo animals or wildlife sanctuaries. They have to be wild. It could be mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, fish or other sea life, bugs, insects, or any life forms I've forgotten.

I checked the list of winners, and I think the last time you did something similar was "animal planet" in 2016.

What do you think? Yes or no?

Ross

EDIT: It wouldn't have to be a Yellowstone grizzly bear or an Alaskan eagle. I've grabbed some good pics on my neighbhood walks and in my own backyard. It's the shot that counts.

[elleng]

1. Sounds 'creepy,' as cicadas are about to appear in #### states!

On the other hand, many birds are migrating; I could go for THAT!

[NJCher]

2. Even I

In suburban nj could do this one. Workable but I think it takes an enormous amount of time to get good wildlife photos.

[birdographer]

3. I'm all in!

[Grumpy Old Guy]

4. Critters are everywhere.

We all have squirrels and backyard birds, right? Entries could be as exotic as animals on safari or as simple as the birds at your backyard feeder.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. It's challenging, but I think it could work! I have maybe two photos that fit. n/t

[Grumpy Old Guy]

6. I can help you with that.

I can point you to some local spots that won't disappoint. For instance, Kenny Hahn Park has a hummingbird garden. Also, there is a juvenile bald eagle residing in Huntington Beach right now.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

7. Ah, thanks! I am somewhat mobility impaired, so those might be too hard. I'll see.

My legs just don't work the way they used to, dammit!

[Grumpy Old Guy]

8. Neither do mine.

I understand. ❤ I don't get around as well as I used to either. I turn 70 in two months, and it's difficult for me to keep up with everyone else.

Squirrels and backyard birds are good subjects. So are spiders and bees. It's the quality of the photo that counts.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

9. Right there with you!

I'm 77 and was doing OK until the latest bout of sciatica struck. I'm better now, but it's still hard.

I have a great squirrel photo! The beast posed for me in the tree right outside my study.

[Grumpy Old Guy]

10. Squirrels are good.

The little comedians make great subjects.

[Soph0571]

11. I live in a flat in the centre of the city

That is a proper challenge... do exhaust fumes count?

[mnhtnbb]

12. The merry month of May in Hyde Park

some years ago

[birdographer]

13. White pelicans!

Save these for the contest!!!

[mnhtnbb]

14. I was just teasing Soph

about the lack of critters in central London.

I have quite a few possibilities for critter shots. It's going to be a challenge for me to choose one.

[birdographer]

15. Same problem here

Maybe we will be lucky enough to be able to post 2...

[Soph0571]

16. Mate - you have inspired me

The sun is out and I am going to take a gander to the park and hunt out some wildlife dammit Happy May Day

[mnhtnbb]

17. Happy May Day to you, too!

I love the parks in London. Enjoy your walk!

[Soph0571]

21. Got a great swan shot

And 20000 steps!!!

[mnhtnbb]

22. Yay!

I'm in awe of 20000 steps and look forward to seeing the swan!

[Grumpy Old Guy]

18. It sounds like a winner!

It sounds like just about everyone is OK with "critters of the wild." I don't think there are any serious objections. Wildlife photography is one of my genres, so I'd really enjoy seeing what people do with it. I realize it might be a bit of a challenge, but that's a good thing thing, right?

I think we should relax the rules to include zoo animals, wildlife refuges, farm animals, etc. Still no personal pets though. We can save them for another contest.

I think Urbanhermit is running the contest this month. Being a new member, I can't DM people. Maybe one of you folks could let them know for me?

Would you folks like to see some of my animal pics? I have a ton of them.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

19. I like what you've done by allowing zoo animals etc!

I have some wonderful shots of butterflies in the Butterfly Pavilion of the Natural History Museum in LA. I might use one of them, now that you've opened it up more.

And I would love to see some of your animal pics! Please do share.

I think that you can now DM folks here. You have to have at least 50 posts to do that, and you're over that number. Give it a try!

We are really lucky to have you among us.

[Grumpy Old Guy]

20. Awww thanks!

Thanks for the kind words Peggy. ❤

I think opening the competition to zoo animals, etc. is the right thing to do. Not everyone has the same opportunities to travel to the wilderness as I do.

My wife has been talking about the Butterfly Pavilion too. We'll have to head down there one of these days. We went to one in Milwaukee years ago that was wonderful. There is also a bird pavilion at the Long Beach Aquarium.

Here is a shot I grabbed in my backyard yesterday. This is a testament to some heavy photoprocessing. This is an extreme crop taken from a 45mp raw file, processed with Adobe Camera Raw, and then cleaned up with Topaz SharpenAi and DeNoiseAI.