Which photo went to Explore and why? Don't cheat

[davholla]

One of these 3 photos went to explore which pleased me and puzzled me - why is it better than the others or is it random?
Is it really the best photo I have posted this year?

Great cormorant,Phalacrocorax carbo,Rye Harbour Nature Reserve

EF7A9939_Cormorant by davholla2002, on Flickr

EF7A9940_Cormorant by davholla2002, on Flickr

Common tern, Sterna hirundo, Rye Harbour Nature Reserve

EF7A9946_Common_Tern by davholla2002, on Flickr

 

[Jeff15]

Very good shooting ...

 

[wobe]

Nice set!

I would guess No.2?

 

[jeffashman]

Nice set of images! #1, because it has the most "interest" as a shot, the profile of the cormorant as well as the light through the wing feathers.

 

[CherylL]

They are all very good. Explore's algorithm is a big mystery.

 

[davholla]

They are all very good. Explore's algorithm is a big mystery.

Thank you very much

 

[jeffashman]

Soooo, which one is it? When you say 'explore' are you referring to explore.org?

 

[cgw]

Ask the birds...

 

[davholla]

Soooo, which one is it? When you say 'explore' are you referring to explore.org?

The second one and I meant explore on flickr

 

[ACHILLEAS]

I like the second one.

It’s not the best that wins. It’s the most popular. Lots of views and likes in 24 hours. That could be due to multiple factors.

After that it explodes and people like it just because it’s on explore. Like a hit song. They follow the crowd. And then it dies.

 

[davholla]

I like the second one.

It’s not the best that wins. It’s the most popular. Lots of views and likes in 24 hours. That could be due to multiple factors.

After that it explodes and people like it just because it’s on explore. Like a hit song. They follow the crowd. And then it dies.

Very true - I love the wildlife photographer of the year competition at the Natural History Museum most of the photos I think are amazing but some I think - I would have deleted it that.

 

[Spirit Vision Photography]

One of these 3 photos went to explore which pleased me and puzzled me - why is it better than the others or is it random?
Is it really the best photo I have posted this year?

Great cormorant,Phalacrocorax carbo,Rye Harbour Nature Reserve

EF7A9939_Cormorant by davholla2002, on Flickr

EF7A9940_Cormorant by davholla2002, on Flickr

Common tern, Sterna hirundo, Rye Harbour Nature Reserve

EF7A9946_Common_Tern by davholla2002, on Flickr

What is Explore?

 

[petrochemist]

The second one and I meant explore on flickr

That's certainly my favorite of the three. The reflection on the nearer wing does it IMO. The shot does still show light through the feathers on the further wing, and I think the wing down posture may be a little more unusual, but I'm far from an expert in bird shots.

 

[davholla]

What is Explore?

Explore is Flickr "best" photos of the day but are they?

 

[greybeard]

No idea but, I like #2 because it shows more detail.