Common Kestrel by Simon Richardson
This week's winning capture is a stunning upperwing flight shot of a male Common Kestrel by Simon Richardson.
This species is always a popular subject to photograph and post on BirdGuides, but underwing shots are by far the easier image to take and it is hard to imagine a more perfect pose than this one: a beautiful portrait in its own right, but also a fantastic identification picture.
With wings and tail fully spread to show every intricate plumage detail, the beauty of this still relatively common raptor can often be overlooked. Nicely exposed, with a highlight in the eye and a blue sky background: what more could you want from any flight shot?
Congratulations to Simon on being this week's winner; he used a 300 mm lens with 1.4× converter attached, ISO200 and shot at 1/4000th second with an f5 aperture.
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
Tawny Owl, Lostwithiel, Cornwall (Photo: Peter Menear)
Yellowhammer, Hollesley, Suffolk (Photo: John Richardson)
Common Sandpiper, Spain (Photo: Dave Williams)
Spotted Flycatcher, undisclosed site, Powys (Photo: Pete Blanchard)
White-rumped Swift, Spain (Photo: Daniel Branch)
Red-backed Shrike, Spain (Photo: Paul Coombes)
Starling, Preston, Lancashire (Photo: Martin Jump)
Garden Warbler, Ham Wall RSPB, Somerset & Bristol (Photo: Mike Trew)
Night Heron, Shrewsbury, Shropshire (Photo: Keith Mallett)
Swallow, Spurn YWT, East Yorkshire (Photo: Jake Gearty)
