Woolly-necked Stork by Jamie MacArthur
I have to admit to not being too familiar with South African bird species, but that still didn't stop me being totally impressed by this stunning close-up of a Woolly-necked Stork by Jamie MacArthur.
It must have been a close encounter as this intimate portrait of a feeding stork was taken with a zoom lens set at a focal length of 182 mm. The image is pin-sharp and perfectly exposed, and the soft lighting has meant that all details in the plumage are retained. Congratulations to Jamie on his Photo of the Week, taken at 1/500th second f5 on ISO 640.
With the year drawing rapidly to a close it's time to look forward to the Photo of the Year. With our weekly winning species ranging from Shetland to Scilly and from many places in between, plus winners from six other countries, there is a real variety to choose from.
It just remains for me to wish all our contributing photographers a very Merry Christmas and say thanks for another year's worth of fantastic photos. I looking forward to seeing all the images taken over the festive period in due course — enjoy.
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
Canary Islands Stonechat, Canary Islands (Photo: Paul Coombes)
European Stonechat, Brean Down, Somerset & Bristol (Photo: Carl Bovis)
Spoonbill, Cley Marshes NWT, Norfolk (Photo: Rob Holmes)
Reed Bunting, Swillington Ings, West Yorkshire (Photo: Chris Downes)
Great White Egret, Fairburn Ings RSPB, West Yorkshire (Photo: Joe Seymour)
Kingfisher, Exeter, Devon (Photo: Charlie Fleming)
Swallow-tailed Gull, Ecuador (Photo: Jon Mercer)
Long-tailed Duck, Jaonneuse Bay, Guernsey (Photo: Andy Marquis)
Peregrine, Slimbridge WWT, Gloucestershire (Photo: Pete Blanchard)
Waxwing, St. Asaph, Clwyd (Photo: Bob Garrett)
Short-eared Owl, Lunt, Lancashire (Photo: Joe Pender)
Water Rail, Italy (Photo: Paolo Caretta)
