2011: Animal Portraits - Highly Commended
Bence Máté (Hungary)
Lunge feeding
Usually only fish get to see the inside of a Dalmatian pelican's beak at such an angle. But on Lake Kerkini in Greece, local fishermen feed the pelicans, which means part of the population is particularly bold and anticipates the meals of fish offal that are thrown to them. Bence planned his trip for February, when most of the pelicans are in their breeding plumage, which includes vibrant orange throat pouches. He constructed a special floating system that would enable him to take unusual perspectives using an underwater camera with a fish-eye lens, operated from a boat some 10 metres away. 'As the pelicans lined up for fish scraps from the fishermen,' says Bence, 'I couldn't believe my luck when they lunged forwards in unison, mouths wide open.'
Nikon D300S + Tokina 10-17mm f3.5-4.5 lens; 1/320 sec at f16; ISO 500; Subal housing; three linked SB-800 flashes; floating remote-control system.
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Adult awards Sleeping infant Xavier Ortega
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Adult awards White Fella Marc Mccormack
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Adult awards Territorial strut Ross Hoddinott
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Adult awards Pool of hippos David Fettes
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Adult awards Sinuousness Marco Colombo
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Adult awards Trust Klaus Echle
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