photo contest...

[jimkrueg]

I vote for the duck. I really love the reflection on the water. That's awesome!!

[burrheadcountry]

Out of the ones you have posted I like the

Duck #1
bear #2
trout #3
goat #4
Ram #5


Just the way I like them. They are all great. 

[Decker]

The duck great exposure, good focus and crispness (especially the water) but had added motion with the blurring of the wing tips. This is hard to achieve and a really nice touch. I like this picture the best.

The bear picture is my second pic because of the great composition, third-lines, DOF, subject angle and pose - outstanding composition. The only reason this wasn't my 1st pic is due to a little bright exposure. A small lightroom or photoshop tweak could change this.

All around beautiful pics. Good luck.

(If I can log on somewhere and lend you my vote let me know!)

[wsucowboy]

Bone your pictures are amazing as always. i have to go with the ram one myself then probably the bear one. There all great pictures for sure.

[marriemb]

white goat and duck are really beautiful 

[Pathfinder101]

I am going to throw in a 1st place vote for the trout.  Duck is second. 
Any of them could win, of course it all depends on the judge(s)...
i.e. does the judge hunt?  Does the judge fish?  Has the judge ever hiked to the elevation necessary to photograph a goat?  Is the judge creeped out by the tiny one-legged tadpole in it's death throes...

[carpsniperg2]

when is the contest? would love to hear how you do when its over and what pic you choose

[Dbow]

I like the duck the best, then bear, trout, goat, and the ram last (depth of field, focus)

[tndrft]

i like the duck and the ram. i like several of your snake pictures as well. you are an excellent photographer! good luck and let us know how it turns out and which photo you enter!

[boneaddict]

Duck is in.  Now I wait.......

[JackOfAllTrades]

Of what you presented, I'm glad you also chose the duck.

That said, you have a 'few' Nany's and kids that I remember that are also exquisite shots that I'm surprised that you didn't include as finalists. I remember the kids that nearly had, 'Expression' in the photo.

-Steve

[boneaddict]

Thanks Steve. 

[h2ofowlr]

Great Pictures.

[bow4elk]

I agree with NWBREW, in general.  I think what often sets winners apart is the emotion or eye to eye connection with the animal.  That young bear photo is pretty neat in that respect.  I love the contrast of the goat against the rock backdrop.  I think of this lot, that one gets my recommendation.

I really love great action shots too.  The trout or wood duck (or similar) could do really well.  I know you're a highly skilled photographer, Bone, so don't take this as a criticism of your skills, but the trout and wood duck photos aren't as sharp as they could be which, in a photo contest, will matter to judges.  Having said that the wood duck reflection is phenomenal and may well overcome any issues with razor sharp focus.     GOOD LUCK!!

[400out]

So Doug when do you find out if you have what it takes?