This competition is about a specific type of bird.  Not just any bird, but one that is found in Australia's arid areas.  This means an area where there is the lack of available water. It is a harsh environment where survival is a challenge.

As an external judge, my dilemma is this:  Is this an exercise in bird identification requiring knowledge of birds found in arid areas?  If so, after the identification has been verified externally, the image is then entered into this competition where I am then to presume that such an identification has been made and that I am to judge the image as a photograph of a bird.  From my point of view, it could be any bird as I do not have the knowledge to make an identification.  However, if this is fundamentally a photographic competition, then the image must tell its own story without any external explanation.  Accordingly, I should be able to tell from the image itself that this is a bird that may be founding an arid area.  A photograph should speak for itself.

In approaching my task I have decided a far as possible to take into account both approaches and balance them as best I can. As a result, I have made the following determinations.

Winner:  Spinifex Pigeon, by Chris Young  (Image ID 32005)

The photographer has nailed it here.  Great composition, excellent detail, nice light, effective depth of field and lovely bokeh.  Whilst the environment isn't as clearly shown as in some other images, I am left with the impression that the bird is in a harsh and dry environment.  The overall  high quality of the image makes up for any short coming in this regard.  A worthy winner.

Highly commended:  Black-faced Woodswallow, by Anne Burgess  (Image ID 31876)

I enjoy this image.  It has more interest than the other images.  The roughly constructed fence on which the bird is perched tells a story and creates a strong sense of the bush.  It does feel dry.  The bird has been well captured and well positioned.  The bird itself is sharp with good detail and a nice catchlight.  I do like the colour contrast with the blue beak and feet against the other colours.  The shallow depth of field isolates the bird from the background.

Commended:  Mistletoebird, by Jennifer Carr  (Image ID 32155)

There is nothing in this image which would indicate to a viewer without specialised knowledge that this is a bird that may be found in an arid environment.  However, the absolute quality of the image demands recognition: it is eye catching.  The colours are vibrant.  The sharpness and detail of the bird are impressive.  The eye is sharp and highlighted.  The red throat feathers jump out.  The rich blue sky is the icing on the cake.  The only way in which I think the image could be further improved is to reduce the amount of negative space on the right hand side.  Impressive.

Commended:  Brown Falcon, by Deanne Gaskill  (Image ID 32187)

This image meets all the requirements of the brief very well.  We are left in no doubt that this bird lives in a dry environment.  The standard of photography is excellent.  The Falcon is well placed in the frame.  There is good detail in the head and feathers.  I do like the quizzical look.  There is a nice catch light in the eye.  Nothing to criticize here.

Commended:  Yellow Chat, by Chris Young  (Image ID 32022)

This is my favourite.  A lovely artistic image.  A beautiful soft colour palette.  I enjoy the balancing act of the bird on the lifeless branches of the bush.  Whilst there is a hint that the environment is harsh and dry, it is not as clear as some of the others.  An image to be proud of.