Ring Ouzel by Bob Garrett
The 13th week of the year proved anything but unlucky for Bob Garrett, who took this cracking image of a male Ring Ouzel to earn this week's top accolade.
The beautiful light falling on this bird has really brought out the feather detail and given a highlight in the eye. Perched on gorse in a perfect pose and with a nice complementary-coloured background, portrait shots don’t get much better than this.
Congratulations to Bob, who took his winning photo with a 400 mm lens and a 1.4× converter, shooting at 1/1250th second, f8 on ISO 640.
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
Hooded Dotterel, Australia (Photo: Graeme Risdon)
Peregrine, undisclosed site, Derbyshire (Photo: Robert Booth)
Torrent Duck, Peru (Photo: Jacques Cloutier)
Kestrel, Hengistbury Head, Dorset (Photo: Joe)
Marsh Harrier, undisclosed site, Essex (Photo: Pixellence)
Variable Oystercatcher, New Zealand (Photo: Gerard Lee)
Little Owl, Portland, Dorset (Photo: Tony Hovell)
Dipper, Milldale, Staffordshire (Photo: Jamie MacArthur)
Hawfinch, Lynford Arboretum, Norfolk (Photo: Jonathan Theobald)
Red-breasted Merganser, Sound of Islay, Argyll (Photo: Andrew Rosochacki)
Golden Eagle, Sweden (Photo: Kath Everitt)
