Common Snipe by Robert Booth

 

 

Amid a profusion of superb snowy garden photos from our contributors this week was Robert Booth's striking shot of a Common Snipe assuming a threat display.

Opportunities like this don't come around often. For starters, seeing snipe so well takes a great deal of patience and is generally only possible from a hide, while seeing them in the open, against an uncluttered background and unobscured, is no easy feat.

As well as the great pose exhibited by the subject here, the ripples on the water and resultant reflections make for a dynamic, effective and memorable winner. Congratulations to Robert!

 

Other notable images

 

Robin, Studley, Warwickshire (Clive Daelman).

Eurasian Bullfinch, Attenborough NR, Nottinghamshire (Ian Bollen).

Redwing, Alvaston, Derbyshire (Neil Loverock).

Blackcap, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire (Gareth Lewis).

Dartford Warbler, Woking, Surrey (Mark Leitch).

Blue Tit, Studley, Warwickshire (Clive Daelman).

Lesser Redpoll, Grantham, Lincolnshire (Steve Nesbitt).

Little Bunting, Thursley Common, Surrey (Rob Knapp).

Northern Shoveler, Alvaston, Derbyshire (Neil Loverock).

Greater Scaup, Farmoor Reservoir, Oxfordshire (David Hastings).

European Herring Gull, Ogmore Estuary, Glamorgan (Tom Wright).