Hoopoe by Andreas Gullberg
This Monday's winner is something a little different from Andreas Gullberg, who is currently based on the Norwegian island of Røst – this superb flight shot of a Hoopoe. Though not a 'classic' pose, there's no doubt that Andreas's image is captivating and impressive in equal measure, for it shows off the spectacular wing and tail pattern of this charismatic species brilliantly.
With the bird caught in such an arresting posture, with the low sunlight creating a translucent effect through the whites of the wing and tail feathers, this is a highly effective image that demonstrates how bird effective photography isn't always about pin-sharp images of birds in textbook-style poses. Congratulations to Andreas!
Other notable images
Western Cattle Egret, Ashcott Corner, Somerset & Bristol (Chris Hawes).
Jack Snipe, Fair Isle, Shetland (Alex Penn).
Pectoral Sandpiper, Cheddar Reservoir, Somerset & Bristol (Carl Bovis).
Black-tailed Godwit, Røst, Nordland (Andreas Gullberg).
Common Redshank, St Mary's Island, Northumberland (Alan Jack).
Greater Yellowlegs, Loch of Strathbeg RSPB, Aberdeenshire (Tim Marshall).
Greenshank, undisclosed site, Wiltshire (Geoff Snowball).
Common Tern, Lough Foyle, Donegal (Jonathan Rosborough).
Spotted Flycatcher, Hoswick, Mainland, Shetland (Peter Garrity).
Red-backed Shrike, East Burra, Shetland (Tom Hines).
Common Starling, Skegness, Lincolnshire (Neil Loverock).
Whinchat, La Claire Mare, Guernsey (Chris Bale).
Long-tailed Tit, Kingsdown, Kent (Stephen Ray).
Greenish Warbler, Svínoy, Norðoyar (Silas Olofson).
