“Wildlife in Motion” Challenge 2023

This week’s blog post highlights the photographs that were Highly Commended and the overall winner in the Wildlife in Motion category of our 2023 Pangolin Photo Challenge.

Photographers in this category were tasked with capturing the dynamic moments of movement in the animal kingdom, from graceful leaps to playful antics.

Want to take part in this year’s challenge? Click here to find out more about joining the 2024 Pangolin Photo Challenge. It’s simple, free, and allows you to win amazing safari prizes!

Didn’t catch the Wildlife in Motion Finalists video?

View the video here, and then share your thoughts on who should win. Afterwards, take a look at our outstanding images below to see if your predictions were correct.

Highly Commended
White-Cheeked Barbet, by Amit Satiya

Canon EOS R5 with an RF400mm F2.8 L IS USM

f/3.5 | 1/6400 | 400 mm | ISO 2000

Amit Satiya’s highly commended image titled “White-Cheeked Barbet” offers a glimpse into the vibrant avian life of Munnar, Kerala, India. Shot with a Canon EOS R5 camera with an RF400mm F2.8 L IS USM lens, this image captures the beauty of the small, vibrant green barbet in its natural habitat.

At a wide aperture of f/3.5 and a fast shutter speed of 1/6400, Amit freezes the moment, ensuring the barbet’s head is perfectly in focus while capturing the blur of its movement as it shakes. The 400mm focal length brings viewers up close to the intricate details of the bird’s plumage and features.

Highly Commended
Cheetahs at hunt, by Ofer Korem

NIKON Z 9 with a VR 600mm f/4E

f/4 | 1/4000 | 600 mm | ISO 800

Ofer Korem’s photo, “Cheetahs at Hunt,” draws you into the thrilling chase in the Masai Mara. Ofer captures the moment when two cheetahs from the “5 Brothers” coalition attempt to hunt a Topi antelope.

Highly Commended
Hunting Time, by Bianca Renz

Canon EOS R6 with an RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM

f/7.1 | 1/20 | 500 mm | ISO 250

Bianca Renz’s photograph titled “Hunting Time” shows the Topi lion’s pride in action. Taken with a Canon EOS R6 and RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM lens, this picture depicts the pride chasing a buffalo during dusk in the Masai Mara. The blurred motion highlights the pride’s coordinated movement as they close in on their prey.

Highly Commended
Graceful Landing, by Dale Connolly

SONY ILCE-1 with an FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS

f/6.3 | 1/3200 | 600 mm | ISO 1250

Dale Connolly’s photograph, “Graceful Landing,” showcases a flamingo’s elegant descent in the Galapagos Islands. Captured using a SONY ILCE-1 camera and FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS lens, this image beautifully captures the bird’s grace and beauty. The flamingo’s poised stance with outstretched wings is frozen in time, offering a breathtaking homage to the beauty of wildlife in motion.

Highly Commended
The killer of the sky, by Filippo Tobbi

SONY ILCE-1 with an Sony FE 200–600mm F5.6–6.3 G OSS

f/7.1 | 1/5000 | 600 mm | ISO 2000

Filippo Tobbi photographs a bee-eater in action, swooping through green foliage to capture its prey. Using a SONY ILCE-1 camera with a Sony FE 200–600mm lens, the photograph freezes the bird’s rapid flight.

Winner
Backlit Darter, by Maggie Bullock

OM-1 with an OLYMPUS M.150-400mm F4.5 TC

f/5.6 | 1/1250 | 216 mm | ISO 3200

The winner of the Wildlife in Motion challenge is Maggie Bullock and her image of a “Backlit Darter.” A spectacular moment along the Chobe River. Maggie used an OM-1 camera with an OLYMPUS M.150-400mm F4.5 TC lens to freeze the graceful flight of an African Darter. Through meticulous settings and impeccable timing, she showcases the bird’s gracefulness against the river’s scenery.

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