Featured images
As our image taking ability improves so does confidence and for some, a readiness to take our interest to the next level, photography displays and competitions. I have entered a small number of competitions and shared images for conservation projects over the past three years including this selection of featured images. It is certainly one way to deepen an interest in the amazing world of bird photography.
I would encourage anyone considering entering competitions to join a bird photography forum for the friendly guidance and helpful and constructive criticism that will lead to taking better images. I can recommend Feathers and Photos, Australia's leading bird photography forum as well as international forums such as Birdphotographers.net and NatureScapes.net which are profound sources of inspiration and repositories of valuable information.
Online photography forums have been influential in shaping a self-critical approach to my work and I think this has developed a 'formula' of sorts that can be applied to most field situations. Consequently I am very fortunate to have had four of my images feature in the finals of the prestigious Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year catalogue (NPOTY aka ANZANG) for three consecutive years (2015-2017). The catalogue includes a collection of wildlife and landscape images judged to be the years best from Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica and New Guinea. My chosen images are presented in the gallery below.
Red-necked Avocet (Good Worm Hunting)
Common Bronzewing Pigeon (Wings of Desire)
Australian Pied Oystercatcher (When Pipi's Go Bad)
Orange-bellied Parrot (Incoming Orange)
 Australian Pied Oystercatcher2017 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year finalist (Thank you :-) |  Orange-bellied Parrot2017 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year finalist (Thank you :-) |  Common Bronzewing Pigeon2016 Australian Geographic Nature Photograher of the Year 2017 Desk Diary F&B Cover image (Thank you :-) |
|---|---|---|
 Common Bronzewing Pigeon2016 Australian Geographic Nature Photograher of the Year 2017 - shortlisted Interpretive Category (Thank you :-) |  Orange-bellied Parrot ©Matthew JonesA14X1695 - Avian image of the week ended December 12, 2016 - Feathers and Photos (Thank you :-) |  Red-capped Plover © Matthew Jones5796 - November 2016, theme 3rd place 'look what's in my beak' birdphotographers.net (Thank you :-)) |
 Peregrine Falcon © Matthew JonesX1170- Avian Image of the week ending September 16, 2016 - Peek-a-boo Peregrine Birdphotographers.net (Thank you :-) |  GlossyBlackCockatoo©MatthewJonesOEH saving-our-species-2016-2021 |  Golden HeadedCisticola©Matthew Jones3995 - Australian Conservation Foundation Diary 2017 (Thank you :-) |
 Flying duck Orchid © Matthew Jones2416 - Australian Conservation Foundation Diary 2017 (Thank you :-) | Peregrine Falcon © Matthew JonesX1170 - Avian image of the week ended September 18, 2016 - Feathers and Photos (Thank you :-) |  Sharptailed-sandpiper© Matthew Jones5361 - August 2016 theme runner up (Breeding/mating behaviour) birdphotographers.net (Thank you :-) |
 Little-egret © Matthew Jones2488 - June 2016 theme winner (White birds) Birdphotographers.net (Thank you :-) |  WB Sea Eagle © Matthew Jones6337- Avian image of the week ended May 22, 2016 - Feathers and Photos (Thank you :-) |  Welcome Swallow © Matthew JonesX5166 - Editors Pick Naturescapes.com and Avian image of the week ended May 8, 2016 - Feathers and Photos (Thank you :-) |
 Great Crested Grebe © Matthew Jones5424 - Avian image of the week ended April 10, 2016 - Feathers and Photos (Thank you :-) |  Pied Oystercatcher © Matthew Jones7954 - April 2016 theme winner (shorebirds) birdphotographers.net (Thank you :-) |  Red-necked-avocet © Matthew Jones3170 - Avian Image of the week ending April 08, 2016 - Red-necked Avocet Birdphotographers.net (Thank you :-) |
 Aus Pelican © Matthew Jones0986 - Avian image of the week ended March 12, 2016 - Feathers and Photos (Thank you :-) |  Southern Boobook OwlNSW Office of Environment and Heritage Pull-up-banner Discover Sydney nature (Thank you :-) |  Little Egret © Matthew Jones2488 - Runner up Avian Image of the year 2014 - Feathers and Photos (Thank you :-) |
 Red-capped Plover chickBirdlife Australia promotion for the 2016 calendar (Thank you :-) |  Red-necked AvocetFlyer Lake Powell and Carpul (Thank you :-) |  Save our Species Calendar 2016NSW Government - Saving our Species 2016 Calendar - Flame Robin cover shot. SoS is a NSW conservation program to maximise the number of threatened species surviving in the wild. By purchasing the calendar for only $19.95, you are directly helping the recovery of threatened species (Thank you :-) |
 Eastern BristlebirdNSW Government - Saving our Species 2016 Calendar - April. SoS is a NSW conservation program to maximise the number of threatened species surviving in the wild. By purchasing the calendar for only $19.95, you are directly helping the recovery of threatened species. http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/saving-our-species-calendar (Thank you :-) |  Pied OystercatcherNSW Government - Saving our Species 2016 Calendar - November. SoS is a NSW conservation program to maximise the number of threatened species surviving in the wild. By purchasing the calendar for only $19.95, you are directly helping the recovery of threatened species. http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/saving-our-species-calendar (Thank you :-) |  Red-necked Avocet2015 ANZANG Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the year - Behaviour category (Thank you :-) |
 Takahe (New Zealand)2016 Tiritiri Matangi New Zealand Calendar - Cover shot. Fundraiser to raise $10,000 for conservation and education work on the Island (Thank you :-) |  Beach Stone Curlew2014 Australian Birdfair - Action and Behaviour Category Winner (Thank you :-) |  Pallid Cuckoo2014 Australian Birdfair - Portrait Category Runner up (Thank you :-) |
 Comb-crested Jacana2013 Wetland Care - Little Lily Trotter, Runner up (Thank you :-) |  Sooty Oystercatcher2013 Australian Birdfair - Threatened Species Category Honorable Mention (Thank you :-) |