Interesting to do a critique on your image but it is difficult if you don't give us any information in your photographers comments. When we do a critique, we go past just the photographic result, that's what voters comments do. The critique looks at what you were trying to achieve, how you wanted it to look and what issues you had in getting the image captured and ready for voting.
First Impression - the most important one: Ok .. I hate things that are yukky to me and this is one of those things ... I am a kiwi and we don't have this sort of stuff. This is fastastic seeng it so close yet knowing it ain't going to hurt me.
Composition: Meets thirds .. as the head is on te horizontal ... has leading lines .. as the neck drawd into the picture ... has such cute wee eyes ;)
Subject: Does it meet the challenge ... it is in its own environment ... so .... YES .. to me it does. But remember that is my opinion .. you have been hurt scores wise by the DNMC crowd ... as it is a fantastic picture.
Technical (Colour and light): Great .. good crisp colours ... good DOF ... and nice lighting.
To grow its vote?: Hard to say in another challenge this may have won ... so truely difficult with the DNMC vote ...
Summary: Fantastic .. keep challenge people of what they think meets the challenge ... I like the outside the box thinkers :)
If you've got any questions about this critique, please feel free to contact me via the PM system.