Bluethroat by Graham Munton
With over 130 images posted since it first arrived at Willow Tree Fen in Lincolnshire, perhaps it was only a matter of time until the most popular tame Bluethroat in the history of popular tame Bluethroats finally won our weekly competition.
This flight shot by Graham Munton has that little something different to set it apart from the many lovely portraits and close-ups that have been taken.
Flight shots always have a certain amount of luck attached to them; if the wings had been caught on the downbeat the effect would have been totally different, but with lots of patience photographers can make their own luck and increase their chances of success.
Congratulations to Graham who used a 600mm lens shooting at 1/6400th second f6.3 ISO800; the low angle, diffuse background and foreground help emphasise the flying Bluethroat captured in an excellent winning pose.
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
Eider, Troon, Ayrshire (Photo: Joe Graham)
Sanderling, Titchwell RSPB, Norfolk (Photo: Andy Payne)
Waxwing, Wakehurst Place, West Sussex (Photo: Leigh Prevost)
American Wigeon, Canada (Photo: Richard Smith)
Abyssinian Roller, Gambia (Photo: Dave J)
Lesser Redpoll, Sculthorpe Moor NR, Norfolk (Photo: Neil Rendall)
Water Rail, undisclosed site, Dumfries & Galloway (Photo: Jamie MacArthur)
Crested Tit, undisclosed site, Highland (Photo: Peter Walkden)
Bittern, Mere Sands Wood LWT, Lancashire (Photo: Martyn Jones)
Pallid Harrier, New Holkham, Norfolk (Photo: Baz Scampion)
Mute Swan, Old Alresford Pond, Hampshire (Photo: Chris Rose)
Pallas's Gull, Oman (Photo: Daniel Branch)
Ferruginous Duck, Washington WWT, Durham (Photo: Sam Northwood)
Blue Tit, Standlake, Oxfordshire (Photo: Jim Hutchins)
