SUBMISSION: The Spirit of a Lion by Caroline Brown

Photograph on canvas. This male lion lives at a local zoo where his mate had recently died from cancer. I was moved by the sadness in his eyes. I was drawn to this image in light of the recent controversy with the horrific liberties taken by trophy hunters and the sad killing of Cecil the lion.

I am a documentary style photographer specializing all things living in the natural world.

My photography has been exhibited at the von Liebig Art Center in Naples Florida, San Diego Museum of Natural History in San Diego California, Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, the State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg Pennsylvania, and the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies in Banff Alberta and other locations.

I have received over 25 awards for my photography and am widely published in health care and photographic publications.

Please take a look at Caroline's website carolineebrownphotography.co

SUBMISSION: Deep Thoughts by John Hartung

Orangutan thinking deeply. I aim to portray the personality and the soul in animals big or small. In this portrait of the orangutan I feel I caught it in an intimate moment. A time when it wasn't aware of my presence, but instead deep in his thoughts.

Have a look at his website: http://www.artthatsmiles.co

SUBMISSION: The Real Unicorn by Colleen Provost

The Photo is dye infused onto a specialty coated aluminum and sealed with a gemlike UV coating. Last year poachers broke the record on the number of rhinos slaughtered for their horn. The trend this year looks like it will be another record breaker. These animals are being killed for their horn which is made up of the same material as a fingernail, keratin, because of its supposed medicinal value. We need to do all that we can before these animals become only known to future generations in picture books as some mythical unicorn.

A Day on the Water Photography is an expression of how I live my life in the belief that nature is a gift. Focusing a light on what is often unseen and making it tangible for others inspires me. I hope to capture this beauty given to us in a lens and share it with those unable to enter into this magical world. In doing so, maybe it will help others to realize that “In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we have been taught.” (Baba Dioum, 1968)

SUBMISSION: Valentine's Day by Caroline Brown

The image was taken at the San Diego Zoo where this male orangutan seemed to be collecting "flowers" for his mate who was pregnant and close to her baby's birth. I am a documentary style photographer specializing all things living in the natural world.

My photography has been exhibited at the von Liebig Art Center in Naples Florida, San Diego Museum of Natural History in San Diego California, Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, the State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg Pennsylvania, and the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies in Banff Alberta and other locations.

I have received over 25 awards for my photography and am widely published in health care and photographic publications.

Please take a look at her website carolineebrownphotography.com

SUBMISSION: White-throated Mountaingem by Focus Frog

Hummingbirds are true jewels of the forest. Their grace and beauty is found only in the Americas. The Grey-tailed subspecies of the White-throated Mountaingem is endemic to a small area of the Talamanca Mountains of Costa RIca. Although it is thought to be locally abundant, the tropical climate and mountainous terrain makes their study challenging, so population and population trends are unknown. Photographing hummingbirds is interesting. Their wings can beat up to 90 beats per second and their vivid colors come from iridescence rather than pigment. Just like the iridescence of oil on water, the color seen is dependent on the angle of the light source. We photograph them in a small, shaded outdoor studio, with very low powered strobe lights from 14 different angles. A flash duration of 1/15,000 of a second produces exceptionally sharp images while the light from 14 different angles reveals their natural colors. Flowers are added later to produce an artistically pleasing image.

Take a look at more amazing photographs from Focus Frog at http://www.focusfrog.com

SUBMISSION: Tiger Splash by MaryAnne Nelson

Tigers are unusual in many ways. One unique trait of this cat is that it loves water. Unfortunately, poaching and habitat loss from intensive logging and development have threatened this species. Growing up a tomboy in a small, Iowa town gave me an appreciation of the outdoors. After leaving there to go to college in Colorado, I graduated and became an educator with many interests. Having a love of the arts and learning, I pursued many different classes, including photography.

Taking photographs has given me an appreciation of looking at scenes with a different perspective and seeing the beauty and uniqueness in nature. Snapping photographs of just about anything that arouses my curiosity makes it rewarding. Photography has become my passion and my celebration of creativity.

I hope that viewers can look at my photographs, enjoy my explorations of the world and feel the aspects of life that I celebrate through the lens.

Take a look at her website: https://www.flickr.com/photos/maryannenelson

SUBMISSION: White-throated Mountaingem by Focus Frog

Hummingbirds are true jewels of the forest. Their grace and beauty is found only in the Americas. The Grey-tailed subspecies of the White-throated Mountaingem is endemic to a small area of the Talamanca Mountains of Costa RIca. Although it is thought to be locally abundant, the tropical climate and mountainous terrain makes their study challenging, so population and population trends are unknown.

Photographing hummingbirds is interesting. Their wings can beat up to 90 beats per second and their vivid colors come from iridescence rather than pigment. Just like the iridescence of oil on water, the color seen is dependent on the angle of the light source. We photograph them in a small, shaded outdoor studio, with very low powered strobe lights from 14 different angles. A flash duration of 1/15,000 of a second produces exceptionally sharp images while the light from 14 different angles reveals their natural colors. Flowers are added later to produce an artistically pleasing image.

Take a look at their website: http://www.focusfrog.com

SUBMISSION: Handsome by John Baldwin

"Handsome" is a resident King of the Beasts at the Sarasota Big Cat Habitat sanctuary that provides a lifetime home for these magnificent cats. My passion is Nature and my camera is always by my side. Life events are continually occurring around us and it is always my pleasure to capture and preserve some of its most interesting moments.

Take a look at John's website www.thebrushedlens.com

SUBMISSION: Teaching Moment by Susan Miller

There is no question that these cubs are listening to the advice of their father lion. My inspiration comes from a trip to South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe. I was exposed to the intensity of the landscape, the beauty of the birds and animals and the hospitality of the people. My photography and painting is a reflection of the experience there. I dream of returning to Africa one day.

SUBMISSION: Botswana by Melanie Hummer

African elephants working as a team in order to protect their young. Photographing God’s canvas is my passion, it is what I was born to do. I received my first camera at the age of twelve and began learning technique and exposure through experimentation. My love of nature and photography grew through high school leading me to the golden coast of California the year following my graduation. I spent nearly five years in California, duringwhich time I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Visual Journalism at Brooks Institute. While attending Brooks, I concentrated on building a focused portfolio showcasing nature, environmental issues and a few individuals involved with nature and the environment.

I am currently located back on the east coast in my home county of Lancaster in Pennsylvania. I continue to develop my portfolio as a freelance nature photographer, now with an emphasis on the Chesapeake Bay and Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge.

SUBMISSION: Osprey at Sunset by Sandy Scott

Ospreys have been endangered through the use of DDT and they are now making a comeback. This osprey has made his nest in the same place for 4 years and I often photograph him. On this particular morning, I found him on a power line with a newly caught fish, and hoping for an action shot, I readied my camera. The bird did not disappoint giving me this incredible shot. Please take a look at Sandy's website at www.brokennecktobrokenrecords.com

SUBMISSION: So There by Mark Cyr

Canvas print of a photo taken at the Naples Florida zoo. Mark’s interest in photography began a few years ago after moving from New Hampshire to Florida and falling in love with SW Florida nature. He finds Everyglades imagery intriguing, as well as fashion photography, and has expanded his repertoire to include food photography for restaurants which helps complete the mobile websites he develops. As a result his interest in studying light continues to grow.

He earned a MS in Communications from Southern Illinois University after a BA in Liberal Arts from UND. After a career in the media industry he now runs a small business developing all forms of mobile technology.

SUBMISSION: Pink Passion by Lisa Renee Ludlum

One of my favorite quotes is “it’s not what you look at that matters – it’s what you see” by Thoreau. I find this so true with the art of photography. As a life-long Florida gal, I have truly been blessed to live in this amazing state - a canvas of endless possibilities and diverse opportunities. My lens is an extension of my eye and my camera is an extension of my soul. Beauty surrounds us, yet the fine details are often missed in our busy lives. Understanding this concept, I have channeled my expertise as a photographer in conjunction with my passionate artistic style by capturing life’s intricate moments. I get great joy out of sharing my visionary images through the magic of photography.

I am inspired by all genres of photography, yet my strongest connection is with nature and I am truly captivated by “Macro Photography”. There is a deep awe of intrigue with extreme close-up images – it is like discovering a hidden treasure and the smallest things reveal the most amazing jewels.

SUBMISSION: Sudan's Security Detail by Todd Bradley

By using toys, I try to bring awareness to endangered species using items most people can personally relate to...toys. In this diorama- On the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya. Sudan, the only male northern white rhino left in the wild on earth. He’s guarded 24 hours a day by armed rangers, his last defense against poachers.

Todd Bradley is an artist residing in San Diego, Ca. with his husband Walter and two dogs, Jake and Stanley. Todd focuses on the details, that explain the story behind the image. His interests in photography are florals, architecture, macro, creepy. Todd is currently working on a a photographic series of abandoned objects and another of the use of lines in architecture and nature.

Check out Todd's website for more fascinating work at toddbradleyphotography.com

SUBMISSION: Gray Crowned Crane by Sandra Pipken

Expressed in each photograph is a re-introduction to nature through the lens to create an image. Visible wavelengths of light into a reproduction of what an eye sees, introducing itself to the viewer. The impact of light upon the enlivened image crosses over into the stillness of the reproduction imprinted upon the viewer and their world. And, suddenly the stillness of the reproduction becomes a reflection of their consciousness and the boundary that separated the viewer from the image becomes invisible.

Color is part of this process, capable of producing different sensations through the eye of the way the image reflects light. And, I try to use vivid colors in my work.

Photography became part me when I was diagnosed with Hepatitis C. The treatment, 52 weeks, is like cancer treatment. Dulled of all sensations, all I could do was watch TV or walk. Walking through the wildlife sanctuary, I began to take photos of birds. Re-introduced, I saw their beauty for the first time.

SUBMISSION: The Pose by Lisa Renee Ludlum

African Black & White Colobus Monkey. One of my favorite quotes is “it’s not what you look at that matters – it’s what you see” by Thoreau. I find this so true with the art of photography. As a life-long Florida gal, I have truly been blessed to live in this amazing state - a canvas of endless possibilities and diverse opportunities.

My lens is an extension of my eye and my camera is an extension of my soul. Beauty surrounds us, yet the fine details are often missed in our busy lives. Understanding this concept, I have channeled my expertise as a photographer in conjunction with my passionate artistic style by capturing life’s intricate moments. I get great joy out of sharing my visionary images through the magic of photography.

I am inspired by all genres of photography, yet my strongest connection is with nature and I am truly captivated by “Macro Photography”. There is a deep awe of intrigue with extreme close-up images – it is like discovering a hidden treasure and the smallest things reveal the most amazing jewels.

SUBMISSION: Totem Fox by Jason McGroarty

I will always remember the moment that I came into contact with a wild vixen whilst walking a dimly lit path on the outskirts of my hometown. Through Totem I wanted to capture the heart-stopping moment when the wild breaches the barriers of the city and reminds us that the line between humans and wildlife is not as clear-cut as we would like to believe in, and that in the animal kingdom, the only thing we can count on is unpredictability, that the unexpected should be expected. If we continue to pillage the earth of its natural resources, there will be nowhere left for these beautiful creatures to roam. Take a look at more photography on Jason's website www.jasonmcgroarty.com

SUBMISSION: Hanging in there by Colleen Provost

This photo is of a green anole, the only anole native to Florida. The green anole has lost its primary habitat to the exotic brown anole brought to Florida from Cuba. Being able to spot a green anole enjoying itself in Florida is a real treat. The Photo is dye infused onto a specialty coated aluminum and sealed with a gemlike UV coating.

A Day on the Water Photography is an expression of how I live my life in the belief that nature is a gift. Focusing a light on what is often unseen and making it tangible for others inspires me. I hope to capture this beauty given to us in a lens and share it with those unable to enter into this magical world. In doing so, maybe it will help others to realize that “In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we have been taught.” (Baba Dioum, 1968)

Take a look at Colleen's website http://www.adayonthewater.com

SUBMISSION: Chimp Portrait - April 2015 by Craig Price

This gentle chimp sat with me for 20 or so minutes as I photographed his face. A touching moment between long lost cousins. The face of our cousin the ape is a true look at our own history and humanity. How can you not look into their eyes and not see our own beginnings? My hope is each photo I take of a primate, endangered or not, will reflect our own sense of humility, compassion and understanding.

SUBMISSION: Blue Crane by Sandra Pipken

Taken at World Zoo, Phoenix, Arizona. Expressed in each photograph is a re-introduction to nature. Through the lens to create an image visible wavelengths of light into a reproduction of what an eye sees, introducing itself to the viewer. The impact of light upon the enlivened image crosses over into the stillness of the reproduction imprinted upon the viewer and their world. And, suddenly the stillness of the reproduction becomes a reflection of their consciousness and the boundary that separated the viewer from the image becomes invisible.

Color is part of this process, capable of producing different sensations through the eye of the way the image reflects light. And, I try to use vivid colors in my work.

Photography became part me when I was diagnosed with Hepatitis C. The treatment, 52 weeks, is like cancer treatment. Dulled of all sensations, all I could do was watch TV or walk. Walking through the wildlife sanctuary, I began to take photos of birds. Re-introduced, I saw their beauty for the first time.