Winner: Mulga Parrot - Gunther Frensch (Image #19168).

The sharpness, lighting and engaging pose of this Mulga Parrot combine to create an exquisite image that would not be out of place in a higher category. An added feature is the way the background colours complement the colours of the parrot.

You’ve handled the post-processing extremely well, my only suggestion is to try decreasing the highlights in the angled area at the top of the background as it leads my eye away from the bird.

Highly Commended: Australian King-Parrot - Bill Carroll (Image#19461).

The dynamic pose and dramatic lighting of this image immediately caught my attention. The depth of field has ensured the bird is appropriately sharp against a clear background and the crop is effective. If the image isn’t subject to ‘nature photography’ criteria I’d clone out the leaf at the top left. The fine white rim around the parrot and foliage appear to be caused by over-sharpening and the image would benefit from some noise reduction. The area around the parrot has been lightened, which effectively highlights the bird but the vignetting effect would be much improved if the change between the light and dark was more subtle.

Commended: Brown Honeyeater - Mary Wheeler (Image #19215).

This juvenile honeyeater is sitting sweetly in its softly lit environment. The bird is superbly sharp with a catch-light in its eye. I’d suggest reducing the brightness of the small highlight on the branch behind the bird’s head and, if possible, add more frame to the right-hand side of the image for the bird to look into.

Commended: Crested Tern - Jeffrey Robinson (Image #19367).

This family photograph tells a story about parenting that made me smile. The juvenile is nice and sharp. To improve the image further I’d suggest cropping slightly differently so the terns are higher up in the frame, taking out some of the uninteresting sea above the birds. This could result in more of a panoramic crop, or alternatively could include more of the reflections in the foreground, if they were captured. You could also try dropping the highlights on the white feathers.

Commended: Blue-faced Honeyeater - Mary Wheeler (Image #19249)

The detail in this honeyeater image is excellent with the bird standing out nicely against the heavily blurred background. As the bird is looking down I’d recommend cropping a strip from the top of the image to improve the balance of the shot.