Great posturing captured. Always fascinates me to see a human-like pose by an animal. Maybe I am thinking too species-centric?

That aside..

Caveats?

Took your image here up to the highest resolution size for a look see. Some noticeable grain/noise. And on that note, I am guessing 'zoo' translates to challenging shooting conditions. Simply put.

Not a real detractor, mind you, there are some areas in and around the tree trunks that I might have been tempted to smooth out. Perhaps, by masking and employing some noise reduction. So..

Can't recall what you have at your image editing software/program disposal, Tim ... going to throw the kitchen sink at you..

Neat Image

/\ Freeware version, btw. (The limitations are more on the note of commercial usage.)

And on the note of temptations, maybe a crop to eliminate the small area in the left-hand side of the yellow grasses peeking through? In turn, tucking the tree trunk up against the frame. As I don't think your overall composition would be affected too greatly.

More ambitious editing? Clone out the broken branch that comes in from the right-hand side.

/\ All mentioned towards the creative ends of simplifying the elements within frame and putting more focus on your subject.


That nonsense and drivel of mine aside ... nice shot. Good good natural colour and I do like your composition. Best of luck in the contest. :o)

Nice shot Tim and good luck R.

Tim, I have really enjoyed this shot. Reminds me of people at work!! lol. It is very well done and I wish you all the best with it in the contest. ~~ John

Okay, now this one I remember seeing before but not sure why I didn't leave a comment (I was probably busy with something else). I always enjoy watching these guys at the zoo, they're almost constantly in motion, but I've never seen one relaxing like this and he really does look like he's contemplating something deep... with his "hand" on his knee like that it could be something like "Hmmmmmm... now how the heck am I gonna get that kid serious about school and stop goofing off...?" Much better than the typical critter shot. Good lighting, color and comp as well.

-Nik