03 The Silly Season

Wayne Kliewer

From spring light to spring behaviour. As the photographer explains, spring is a time for growth, breeding and raising young, and all this activity causes conflict: in this case, a mockingbird defending its nest against a Harris hawk that has strayed into its territory. In this brilliantly observed and perfectly executed image, the background is clean and clutter-free, the square crop results in a beautifully balanced composition, and there’s just a hint of movement in the mockingbird’s wings and tail feathers. Superb. Nikon D810, 500mm f/4, 1/1600 sec, f/5.6, ISO1000