Gannets by Robbie Brookes
Images like this one from Robbie Brookes are rarely taken by most bird photographers. When at a bustling Gannet colony, many focus on flight shots, close-ups and portraits.
Living nearby means Robbie has probably already taken almost every photograph possible of this species, allowing him time for a spot of experimentation away from the norm. This image has been taken at the unusual setting of 25 seconds at f22, ISO 100, using a 100–400 mm lens at the 188 mm setting to capture a very different type of bird photograph.
Placing the Gannet colony on the right of the frame and allowing the eye to wander to the seascape setting makes for lovely composition; the very slow shutter speed has totally blurred the waves, giving the scene a slight surrealism.
Congratulations to Robbie on his winning image, already the 14th of the year.
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
Skylark, undisclosed site, Cheshire (Photo: David Cookson)
Brambling, Calke Park NT, Derbyshire (Photo: Clive daelman)
Great Crested Grebe, undisclosed site, Glamorgan (Photo: Chris Hawes)
Goldeneye, Seaforth LWT (Permit only), Lancashire (Photo: John Donnelly)
Yellowhammer, undisclosed site, Somerset & Bristol (Photo: Michael Sherwin)
African Crimson-winged Finch, Morocco (Photo: Ron Marshall)
Razorbill, Bempton Cliffs RSPB, East Yorkshire (Photo: Mike Robinson)
Long-tailed Tit, Hurcott Wood, Worcestershire (Photo: Robert Hart)
Knot, Ribble Estuary, Lancashire (Photo: John Tymon)
White Stork, undisclosed site, Leicestershire and Rutland (Photo: Paul Riddle)
Ptarmigan, Iceland (Photo: Ian Dickey)
