Best Picture From Last Weekend

 I ended the weekend with more than 300 pictures. You can imagine how hard it is to select the best one. But to my eyes, this one is a wow type of picture. Do you not think? 

Editing your wildlife pictures

Sometimes, people assume that you should not edit your wildlife pictures, that editing is only for human portraits and landscapes. They are wrong. You can enhance any of your pictures, no matter what the subject or topic is. Here is an example of how a wildlife picture, in this case of a bird, is edited to achieve better and more appealing results.

 

Do not waste your hard earned money

Probably most of you are going to relate to this article published on the FStoppers page, talking about those items that any new photographer buys and how they are often a waste of money.

 

Spectacular Sunrise

There is something magical about those quiet moments just after dawn, when the first rays of sunlight break through the trees and paint everything with a warm golden glow. This scene stopped me in my tracks. The soft light filtered through the moss draped branches, highlighting the textures of the old oaks and the path ahead.

I took this photo on a peaceful morning walk, when the air was still cool and the world seemed to wake up slowly. The golden light touching the leaves and tree trunks reminded me why I love photographing nature. It is not just about the scenery, but the feeling of calm and wonder that comes with it.

Sunrises like this one are fleeting, lasting only a few minutes before the light changes completely. But that is what makes them special, a gentle reminder to slow down, look around, and appreciate the beauty that nature offers every day.

As I approach 12 years of photographing wildlife and landscapes, moments like this remind me how rewarding it is to keep exploring, learning, and capturing the quiet beauty of the natural world.

Would you take the shot?

The popular wisdom among photographers says that the best results are achieved when you are at eye level with your subject. Avoid taking shots from a higher position, as the distance between your subject and the background becomes smaller and the image will not appear as attractive as when photographed at eye level.

But when you are shooting wildlife, you do not have many options. It is either take the shot or miss it. So, if you see a bird like the one in the picture above, would you capture the moment or let the opportunity that nature has given you slip away?

My opinion? I never waste an opportunity.

I wouldn’t consider the picture above to be bad, and here’s why:

Moment and Expression: You captured the bird mid-call, with its beak open and feathers slightly ruffled; that’s a dynamic, storytelling moment that adds life to the image. Those moments are hard to predict and even harder to catch sharply.

Lighting: The morning light beautifully enhances the bird’s black plumage, revealing the subtle iridescent tones and the red-and-yellow markings on the wings. That detail often gets lost in harsh or flat light.

Composition: The placement of the bird slightly off-center works well. The surrounding lily pads and reflections add a natural context without overwhelming the subject.

Depth and Contrast: Even though the photo is taken from slightly above (which some would avoid), the depth created by the water texture and lily pads makes it visually engaging.

So, even if it’s not “eye-level,” this image works because of its emotion, timing, and natural composition. In wildlife photography, the story often outweighs textbook composition rules — and this photo tells a strong one.

The best picture from last weekend

Migration has finally reached Florida. This weekend, I had the opportunity to photograph some of our visitors, and without a doubt, this one stands out as my favorite. 

This is why I like this picture.

Natural storytelling: The way the birds gather feels social, almost like a quiet conversation among them;  something that adds emotion and life to a wildlife scene.

Lighting: The gentle backlighting highlights the texture of the feathers and creates a soft rim of light, something that’s very rewarding to capture in wildlife photography.

Composition: The diagonal line of the fence leads the viewer’s eyes through the frame naturally, and the spacing of the birds feels balanced without being staged.

Mood: The background bokeh and warm tones give the photo a sense of calm and morning serenity; the kind of peaceful moment photographers wait for.

It’s the kind of image that shows not just wildlife, but also connection and atmosphere.

Two Reels from the Strike Fest

 Here are two reels I created using pictures taken at the event.