Wilson's Petrel by Richard Stonier
We've seen this month that those wanting to photograph seabirds at close range would be well advised to head towards Scilly; and that's just what Richard Stonier has done, completing 10 pelagics in 11 days and being rewarded with this week's stunning winning shot of a Wilson's Petrel.
A moving boat, swelling seas and a flying bird are not the best mix for an easy photo, but using a 400 mm lens and shooting at 1/1600th second at f5.6 on ISO400 has proved to be the perfect combination for this capture. It's hard to imagine a better shot of this species as this one has it all, showing all the main ID features, plus a highlight in the eye and a perfect background.
Congratulations to Richard on his Photo of the Week; it's hard to believe that almost eight months of the year have disappeared already and we wonder what other species are waiting to be photographed and shared this autumn.
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
Spotted Sandpiper, Dunbar, Lothian (Photo: Kris Gibb)
Plumbeous Water Redstart, China (Photo: Ron McIntyre)
Common Sandpiper, Sywell CP, Northamptonshire (Photo: Martin Swannell)
Icterine Warbler, St. Mary's, Isles of Scilly (Photo: Jim Almond)
Royal Tern, Roonagh Lough, Mayo (Photo: Dermot Breen)
Little Stint, Farmoor Reservoir, Oxfordshire (Photo: Dave Collins)
Crossbill, Spain (Photo: Natalino Fenech)
Caspian Gull, Dungeness NNR, Kent (Photo: Richard Smith)
Cory's Shearwater, Scilly pelagic, Isles of Scilly (Photo: Joe Pender)
Black Redstart, France (Photo: Dave Grant)
Little Egret, Farmoor Reservoir, Oxfordshire (Photo: Clive daelman)
Fulmar, Norway (Photo: Andrew Moon)
Sanderling, Denmark (Photo: Morten Scheller Jensen)
Storm Petrel, Scilly pelagic, Isles of Scilly (Photo: Ephraim Perfect)
