2005: Animal Portraits - Highly Commended Print
Jari Peltomäki (Finland)
Great grey owl pounce
Living close to Oulu in central Finland, Jari regularly sees great grey owls (his favourite bird). In the breeding season, the owls spend most of their time in the forests, but in winter they hunt in the open fields. Jari ventures out most days, camera in hand, and the birds are used to him, which means he doesn't need a hide. Here the owl has just pounced on a vole it's heard moving under the thick snow. Spread-eagled and vulnerable, it still manages to retain its dignity in the face of the camera.
Canon 1D mark II, Canon IS USM 70-200mm f2.8 lens; 1/1000 sec at f4; 400 ISO.
View other winners in this category
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Adult awards Snapper shoal Alexander Mustard
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Adult awards Fox washing Bence Máté
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Adult awards Glare of the great owl Scott Sharkey
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Adult awards Gorilla in the rain Joe Mcdonald
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Adult awards Red deer headgear Danny Green
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Adult awards Waiting for mother Thomas Sbampato
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