Mark Kriedemann, Over the Hill (ENTRIES CLOSED - February theme: Wild)

While walking past a lillypad laden section at Enoggera Reservoir near Brisbane, I noticed a few small dark shapes flitting along the surface of the lilies and decided to have a quick look. This turned into a half-hour long effort of recording the movements of the Dusky Moorhen chicks as they set out from their nest to accompany their mother on a hunt. This chick caught my attention as it set off on its own, following a independent curiosity which I thought was charming. Using an 800mm lens, I was able to capture some intimate moments of the chicks adventure, including this moment when it slowed and grew watchful as it approach the shore. The summer morning sun was high in the sky, which help to reveal the deep red of it's skullcap.

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