Red Kite by Norman West
Red Kites and their photographic sites have become a photographer’s dream over the last decade or so and we have become accustomed to seeing flight portraits posted on Iris.
What we don’t see too often is shots of birds squabbling for food in small flight groups as in this week’s winning capture by Norman West, which has been nicely caught against a blue sky.
A 500mm lens was used and the image was taken at 1/5000th second f6.3 on ISO800; congratulations to Norman who becomes the first multiple winner this 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
Black-throated Thrush, Finland (Photo: Kari Haataja)
Siskin and Goldfinch, Hawick, Borders (Photo: Ron McCombe)
Little Owl, undisclosed site, Buckinghamshire (Photo: Craig Richardson)
Starling, Canterbury, Kent (Photo: Lawrence Sampson)
Great Grey Shrike, Upper Hollesley Common, Suffolk (Photo: John Richardson)
Crossbill, Derwent Reservoir, Durham (Photo: Ron Hindhaugh)
Marsh Harrier, Westhay, Somerset & Bristol (Photo: Chris Hooper)
Cirl Bunting, undisclosed site, Devon (Photo: John Dickenson)
Black-headed Gull, Hengistbury Head, Dorset (Photo: Joe)
Red Kite, Harewood, West Yorkshire (Photo: Ivan Ellison)
Wren, Wayoh Reservoir, Lancashire (Photo: John Barlow)
