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Laurie says:

I saw these photos first in the Guardian. This seems to be a time when I’m finding stunning photos of creatures. Not sure why, but it’s having a modest effect on how I see.

These images are from the Bird Photographer of the Year competition. It celebrates the stunning artistry of these photographers. The contest promotes conservation by contributing directly to the British Trust for Ornithology to support their conservation research.

Aside from their beauty, when I look at them I am reminded of the fact that birds are dinosaurs. And some of the photos evoke that alien quality.

These are some of the winners that struck me.
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Greater Flamingo, Phoenicopterus roseus, by Fahad Alenezi, Kuwait
Photograph: Fahad Alenezi/2018
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Starling, Sturnus vulgaris, by Alan Price, UK
Photograph: Alan Price/2018

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Little Egret, Egretta garzetta, by Sienna Anderson, UK
Photograph: Sienna Anderson/2018
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Western crowned-pigeon, Goura cristata, by David Easton, Singapore
Photograph: David Easton/2018
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Common Ostrich, Struthio camelus, by Salvador Colvée, Spain
Photograph: Salvador Colvée/2018

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