GROUP  B - SCORE 87

JUDGES: Marty Grivjack 87  | Nancy Ney 87

GROUP  B - SCORE 86.5

JUDGES: Marty Grivjack 89  | Nancy Ney 84

GROUP  A - SCORE 84

JUDGES: Marty Grivjack 85  | Nancy Ney 83

This image was taken at the Santa Barbara Zoo a few weeks ago. I liked this image because of the somewhat natural looking setting. I was able to crop out a building at the top of the image. I like that the giraffes are framed by vegetation at the top and bottom of the frame. The judges frequently say they are looking for something in the foreground, middle ground, and background to add depth to an image. I feel this image meets that criteria. The juxtaposition of the three giraffes adds an element of interest. I like the two parallel necklines. Post processing was used to enrich the colors using LRC.

GROUP  A - SCORE 90

JUDGES: Marty Grivjack 88  | Nancy Ney 92

ISO 100; 98-280 @ 280mm; f/5.6; 1/200s
Hand Held
Natural Light

GROUP  A - SCORE 93.5

JUDGES: Marty Grivjack 93  | Nancy Ney 94

This photo was captured at the lake on the University of Miami campus. There are many iguanas there. They seem to be used to people not bothering them, and I was able to get quite close to take this shot. I liked the lake surface as a neutral background. I thought the colors blended well. I took several shots and in this one the lizard was looking directly at me. I thought that helped the image. Post processing was done in LRC.

GROUP  A - SCORE 78.5

JUDGES: Marty Grivjack 83  | Nancy Ney 74

Taken at Zoo Miami with iPhone 13 Pro

TGROUP  A - SCORE 89.5

JUDGES: Marty Grivjack 95  | Nancy Ney 84

Taken in my garden with Nikon D3400 1/320 sec at f/8.0 ISO 1600. 300mm

GROUP  B - SCORE 78

JUDGES: Marty Grivjack 82  | Nancy Ney 74

Taken at Cauley Square with a Nikon D3400

 GROUP  B - SCORE 82

JUDGES: Marty Grivjack 83  | Nancy Ney 81

GROUP  A - SCORE 93.5

JUDGES: Marty Grivjack 93  | Nancy Ney 94

Fujifilm X-H2S - Fuji 100-400mm @ 400mm - f/5.6 - Shutter 1/2500 - ISO 2500 - Exposure Compensation - 1/3
Edited with On1 Photo Raw, Nik and Topaz.

About the bird:
Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) – it appears dark brown from a distance, but in good lighting, its feathers shimmer with metallic green, bronze, and purple tones.

The Glossy Ibis is a striking wading bird known for its iridescent plumage, curved bill, and graceful flight. It belongs to the ibis family (Threskiornithidae) and is the most widespread ibis species, found on nearly every continent.

GROUP  A - SCORE 89

JUDGES: Marty Grivjack 95  | Nancy Ney 83

ISO 640; 98-220 @ 155 mm; f/5.6; 1/200s
Hand Held
Natural Light

GROUP  A - SCORE 90.5

JUDGES: Marty Grivjack 87  | Nancy Ney 94

This photograph was taken at Wakodahatchee Wetlands, It was fun to watch the Cormorant in action.
Nikon D 850
F/9
Exp. time 1/500 sec
Focal length 600
ISO 1250

GROUP  A - SCORE 84

JUDGES: Marty Grivjack 85  | Nancy Ney 83

GROUP  A - SCORE 83

JUDGES: Marty Grivjack 80  | Nancy Ney 86

 This photography was taken at Wakodahotchee Wetlands very early in the morning on February.
Nikon D850
Exp Time 1/1600
F 6.3
Focal length 600
ISO 280

GROUP  B - SCORE 76.5

JUDGES: Marty Grivjack 77  | Nancy Ney 76

Limpkin adult and chick feeding along a canal at Coral Reef Park. Taken with a Nikon D3400 camera.

 GROUP  A - SCORE 87.5

JUDGES: Marty Grivjack 87  | Nancy Ney 88

 GROUP  A - SCORE 84.5

JUDGES: Marty Grivjack 87  | Nancy Ney 82

GROUP  A - SCORE 88

JUDGES: Marty Grivjack 87  | Nancy Ney 89

GROUP  A - SCORE 87.5

JUDGES: Marty Grivjack 84  | Nancy Ney 91

Fujifilm X-H2S - Fuji 100-400mm @ 400mm - f/5.6 - Shutter 1/2500 - ISO 6400 - Exposure Compensation - 2/3
Edited with On1 Photo Raw, Nik and Topaz.

About the Grebes:
These are not ducks, they are Pied-billed Grebes.
Grebes are commonly found in freshwater ponds, marshes, and lakes, where they are territorial and can be aggressive when defending their space.

Key Identifying Features:
- Small, stocky body with a compact build.
- Short, thick bill, often with a dark band (hence the name "pied-billed").
- Brownish plumage with a slightly lighter throat and chest.
- Excellent divers, often seen splashing or disappearing underwater to catch food.

GROUP  A - SCORE 92

JUDGES: Marty Grivjack 93  | Nancy Ney 91

GROUP B - SCORE 82

JUDGES: Marty Grivjack 83  | Nancy Ney 81

GROUP  A - SCORE 95

JUDGES: Marty Grivjack 98  | Nancy Ney 92

1/600 at f5.6, ISO 640 at 343mm - Canon RF100-500 lens
Shot with Canon EOS R5 on the road to Mahogany Hammock in the Everglades

GROUP  A - SCORE 93

JUDGES: Marty Grivjack 99  | Nancy Ney 87

 GROUP  B - SCORE 95.5

JUDGES: Marty Grivjack 97  | Nancy Ney 94

Landing Woodstock during mating season
ISO 250
375mm
5.6f
1/1600s

GROUP  B - SCORE 89.5

JUDGES: Marty Grivjack 86  | Nancy Ney 93

Wading Tricolor Heron
2000 ISO
780mm
7.1f
1/200s

 GROUP  B - SCORE 86.5

JUDGES: Marty Grivjack 84  | Nancy Ney 89

 GROUP  A - SCORE 87

JUDGES: Marty Grivjack 84  | Nancy Ney 90

GROUP  A - SCORE 87.5

JUDGES: Marty Grivjack 89  | Nancy Ney 86

GROUP  B - SCORE 77.5

JUDGES: Marty Grivjack 79  | Nancy Ney 76

These deer came to visit my friend's backyard in Cedar Rapids, Iowa every day I was there in June 2024.

Shot on Nikon D7500
f/4
1/640 sec
ISO 800
300mm

 GROUP  A - SCORE 82.5

JUDGES: Marty Grivjack 81  | Nancy Ney 84

 GROUP  A - SCORE 84.5

JUDGES: Marty Grivjack 83  | Nancy Ney 86

GROUP  B - SCORE 81.5

JUDGES: Marty Grivjack 81  | Nancy Ney 83

I shot this playful buck while it was visiting my friend's backyard in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on June 2024.

Shot on Nikon D7500
f/4
1/640 sec
ISO 800
300mm