Lyn Steele, Pale Presence (ANIMALS 2026)

I absolutely love the softness of this minimalist high key image, with the stark black rims of the eyes and parts of the beak providing a strong contrast. The water in the background is reflecting the white/grey clouds above. The Cape Barren Goose is considered a rugged coastal bird but here he appears almost ethereal, reminding me of how the everchanging light and weather can influence the outcome and mood of a photo.

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.