Well, since I didn't get a reply to my question this morning about whether or not the contest has been extended, I'll just submit my entry and you can do what you will.

First, a point of order: while I appreciate the artistic merit of all the submitted entries in this 50mm Challenge, I'd like to suggest that special consideration should be given for not just artistic merit but also degree of difficulty . I would suggest that taking great pictures of kitty cats or puppies takes great skill. However, it does not take pure, adrenaline-producing courage. That comes from taking pictures, with a 50mm lens, of creatures that can be positively vicious. To wit: the nasty Black Swan.

Well, OK, maybe not Creatures of the Serengeti but these guys have been known to bite and peck. And to fill the frame with a 50mm lens -- even on a crop body -- means working within 3 ft of these creatures. I'm just sayin' .

Here is my submission: a Black Swan from Lake Eola in downtown Orlando.



Enjoy. Note, no photographers were injured in the pursuit of this photograph.

Jim

LOL, awesome, Jim. I was waiting for Preston or Roman to reply. Having said that, my general feeling is that since this is mostly 'family fun' that it should not be a problem to accommodate everyone. So, let's just go til the end of the month.

James

I did reply, James.

Jim, do these swans chase your Rotties?

Preston,
Worse. They chase me!! Actually, these guys are pretty tame and there are feeding stations set up around the lake so they get pretty spoiled. It's a great family location right in the center of downtown Orlando. They have Swan Boats, a fabulous fountain, a band shell for outdoor concerts and events and these wonderful birds. For someone who is used to having to stalk wildlife at refuges and wetland preserves, this is a little different and you can get very close. But I overcame the urge to bait them with food -- like I do my Rotties. I've walked Cassidy Ann down there. She's not impressed .

Jim

Hey...don't discount the dangers in the japanese gardens (my first entry)

Ninjas everywhere...killer koi.....its a jungle out there!!!

Roman

. Thank goodness you survived!

Jim

Thanks to everyone who participated. I am going to put up a newsletter as soon as I get a new article done. I apologize for my slowness.

James