2009: Animal Portraits - Runner-up
Joe McDonald (United States of America)
Ethiopian mountain king
Hairstyle and looks are part of a male gelada's repertoire - the more magnificent the mane, the more impressive the male. His huge canines are weapons of threat (geladas eat grass), and part of everyday messaging are a range of expressions involving eyebrow-raising, eyelid-flashing, mouth-opening and lip-curling. Posing on a cliff edge high up in Ethiopia's Simien Mountains (geladas are found only in Ethiopia), he and the rest of the band are about to retire to their sleeping ledges. In the evening light, his mane appears like a golden shawl. 'He was compellingly, strikingly beautiful,' says Joe.
Canon EOS-1D Mark III + 500mm lens; 1/200 sec at f4; ISO 640.
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Adult awards Borneo baby Brian Matthews
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Adult awards The hyena squad Lorenz Andreas Fischer
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Adult awards Golden fly-by Andy Nguyen
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Adult awards Eyes in the oasis Lee Slabber
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Adult awards Wild, wild wolverine Sergey Gorshkov
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Adult awards Hare sitting tight Klaus Tamm
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