Virginia Wildlife Magazine Photo Contest Awards 2013

Birds Of A Feather - Red-shouldered Hawks Eating Squirrel - Second Place

Our local, neighborhood Red-shouldered Hawk had hunted down this Gray Squirrel two days prior, in my backyard. I was surprised it did not carry off its prey after eating on it for a while. Strangely, the next day it returned to eat a bit more. So, I decided to have my camera ready the next morning, just in case. Once again, he flew in and started to pick at the carcass. So I crept up behind the fence and just as I peeked through the camera’s viewfinder to grab a shot, the female landed in the picture! I could not believe it!

Camera: Canon EOS 40D, Lens: Canon 400mm f/5.6 USM, Settings: ISO 400, Shutter Speed 1/200, Aperture f/7.1

Birds Of A Feather - Belted Kingfisher - Honorable Mention

This amazing Belted Kingfisher nearly caused a traffic jam at Chincoteage NWR that day. I could not believe it did not fly away as I stood and took pictures. And then, when it dove into the ditch and returned to the same perch with a minnow, I was speechless. For some unknown reason that day this guy just sat and posed for a crowd of a dozen or more onlookers.

Camera: Canon EOS 40D, Lens: Canon 100-400mm, Settings: ISO 100, Shutter Speed 1/640, Aperture f/5.6

Furry Critters - Eastern Chipmunk - Third Place

The Eastern Chipmunk is easily one of our cutest critters in Virginia. Catching this little guy out in the open, in the golden morning light really shows off its cinnamon coloration and black racing stripes.

Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Lens: Canon 400mm f/5.6 USM, Settings: ISO 400, Shutter Speed 1/160, Aperture f/7.1

BACK TO RECOGNITIONS