Appreciation for this Forum

[Chris Knight]

I have been around here since 2008 I have learned immensely from the feedback here. I do not post as much as I should but do a lot of reading of posts and feedback aka lurking.
I think a good example of this is a post I made in 2008
http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/showthread.php/23746-Gadwall-ala-Log?highlight=
Two shots I took here and posted for feedback in 11/2008. Early this year I had gone back and looked through my archives for entries for the Ducks Unlimited Magazine photo contest. I found another version of the Gadwall Pair on the log which did not catch my eye in 2008 but did in 2011. I credit that with what I have learned here on this forum.
I entered that photo in the contest and was fortunate to get Best Overall Runner Up recognition in a publication that I have enjoyed most of my life. My first published photo in the May/June edition.
Thank you to the Staff and Members that make this such a outstanding resource
Here is the photo that placed in the contest.

92289

[Tony Whitehead]

Well done, Chris. Great to get recognition for a lovely image.

[John Chardine]

Congratulations Chris (and great to see that beautiful brown flash in the wing of the Gadwall male!).

[denise ippolito]

Congratulations on a fine image Chris!!:S3:

[Roger Clark]

Hi Chris,

Congratulations! The first published image is always special.

Roger

[Arthur Morris]

Mazel tov on the fine image and the recognition. And thanks for your kind words.

[Chris Knight]

Congratulations Chris (and great to see that beautiful brown flash in the wing of the Gadwall male!).
Yes I think that little bit of color draws you into the shot. Thank you

[Chris Knight]

Mazel tov on the fine image and the recognition. And thanks for your kind words.
Thank you Artie. There are not enough kind words to repay the debt of what you contribute to this site and the genre of this craft. Loved your article in Outdoor Photographer.

[Chris Knight]

Thank you Tony, Denise and Roger very exciting indeed.

[Robert Amoruso]

Nice work Chris. Congrats on the win and thanks for the kind words.

[Kerry Perkins]

Way to go Chris! Super image, congratulations.

[Dan Brown]

Congrats, Chris! Great image! Nice to see a west coast member get deserved recognition:S3:

[Don Hamilton Jr.]

Chris, been away for awhile, Super image, and congrats on your win. I too must admit, i aspire to produce an image like yours, and the bpn network, and mods, are such an awesome resource. Thks for sharing... off i go in pursuit of a killer image like yours!! Cheers Don