Barn Swallow by Matt Crosby
Barn Swallow, undisclosed site, Norfolk (Photo: Matt Crosby)
In the days of 35 mm film photographers had virtually no chance of taking a high-quality flight shot of a hirundine. Digital technology has improved those chances massively but even so, Matt Crosby has to be congratulated for taking a shot like this one of a Barn Swallow — which takes a great deal of time, skill and effort, plus just a touch of luck!
Matt used a 300 mm lens, ISO 560 and shot at 1/3200th second; that fast shutter speed has caught the bird in a beautiful pose, totally frozen in that fraction of a second, with the added bonus of the bill being wide open, presumably trying to catch an insect. With wings and tail spread, perfect lighting giving a highlight in the eye and a blue sky background, this is a deserving winner of Photo of the Week; congratulations to Matt.
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
Tree Sparrow, Bempton Cliffs RSPB, East Yorkshire (Photo: Ian Curran)
Puffin, Farne Islands, Northumberland (Photo: Ian Clarke)
Little Owl, undisclosed site, Lancashire (Photo: Austin Thomas)
Common Redstart, Gladhouse Reservoir, Lothian (Photo: Mike Thrower)
Great Northern Diver, Loch na Keal, Mull, Argyll (Photo: Geoffrey Pain)
Oystercatcher, Ingram, Northumberland (Photo: Alan Jack)
Crag Martin, Spain (Photo: Chris Griffin)
Cretzschmar's Bunting, Bardsey Island, Gwynedd (Photo: Ben Porter)
Blue Rock Thrush, Malta (Photo: Natalino Fenech)
Meadow Pipit, Claerwen Reservoir, Powys (Photo: Dave Barnes)
Great Crested Grebe, undisclosed site, Shropshire (Photo: Paul Burgess)
Curlew Sandpiper, Bulgaria (Photo: Dave Williams)
