Bearded Tits by Nick Appleton
Bearded Tit, Strumpshaw Fen RSPB, Norfolk (Photo: Nick Appleton)
Bearded Tit is a very popular subject with the Iris photographers, especially during the autumn when birds seem to show particularly well; but we don't get to see many shots like this week's winner by Nick Appleton.
I should imagine that most people's reaction on viewing it was: "aahh" or maybe I'm just getting soft in my old age? But, if there can be affection (excluding mating display) shown in a photograph then this one captures it, with the female leaning against the male as if in need of a hug, it really is a lovely image.
Nick used a 500mm lens, shooting at 1/1600th sec at f5.6 aperture but has still managed to have sufficient depth of field to keep both birds sharp.
Congratulations to Nick on his Photo of the Week
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
Siberian Chiffchaff, Fair Isle, Shetland (Photo: Lee Gregory)
Little Egret, National Wetlands Centre, Carmarthen (Photo: Wayne Davies)
Rough-legged Buzzard, Holland Haven CP, Essex (Photo: John Pringle)
Short-toed Lark, St. Mary's, Isles of Scilly (Photo: Martin Goodey)
Sparrowhawk, Martin Mere WWT, Lancashire (Photo: Karl Bishop)
Glossy Ibis, Kilwinning, Ayrshire (Photo: Joe Graham)
Leach's Storm-petrel, Machrihanish (village), Argyll (Photo: Eddie Maguire)
Siberian Stonechat, Caister-on-Sea, Norfolk (Photo: Chris Upson)
Little Owl, undisclosed site, Buckinghamshire (Photo: Craig Richardson)
Chestnut Bunting, Papa Westray, Orkney (Photo: Mark Rayment)
Rough-legged Buzzard, Holland Haven CP, Essex (Photo: John Richardson)
Buzzard, Poland (Photo: Natalino Fenech)
Kestrel, Fleetwood, Lancashire (Photo: Ann Rhodes)
