Kestrel by Matt Crosby
Kestrel, Postwick, Norfolk (Photo: Matt Crosby)
Kestrel is a popular subject among our Iris photographers, with many images of perched and hovering birds posted, but we rarely get to see upperwing shots as good as this week's winning shot by Matt Crosby.
It was presumably captured just as the falcon was banking away — Matt has done well to keep the AF on the bird as it moved. A 300mm lens, ISO400, f5 aperture and 1/1,250th second shutter speed combined to keep everything sharp, showing incredible plumage detail.
Congratulations to Matt on his Photo of the Week; this is his second win of the year, the other being a Barn Swallow, also in flight.
You can read more on bird photography from Steve Young, including product reviews and a regular Photo Challenge for readers, every month in Birdwatch magazine.
Other notable images
Black-necked Grebe, Scarborough, North Yorkshire (Photo: Steve Race)
Great Spotted Woodpecker, Venus Pool NR, Shropshire (Photo: Paul Burgess)
Robin, undisclosed site, Glamorgan (Photo: Sam)
Crag Martin, Chesterfield, Derbyshire (Photo: anon)
Green Woodpecker, Shefford, Bedfordshire (Photo: Jim P)
Hoopoe, Crostwick, Norfolk (Photo: Neil Rendall)
Redstart, Two Tree Island, Essex (Photo: Steve Hiscock)
Short-eared Owl, West Canvey Marsh RSPB, Essex (Photo: Steve Hiscock)
Fieldfare, Hardley Street, Norfolk (Photo: Nick Appleton)
Brambling, Cannock Chase, Staffordshire (Photo: Derek Lees)
Long-billed Dowitcher, Canary Islands (Photo: Tony Mills)
Ring-necked Duck, Pitlochry, Perth & Kinross (Photo: J McHale)
Short-eared Owl, Seasalter, Kent (Photo: Chiddy Mark)
