Puffin and Guillemots by Peter Garrity

 

 

This brilliantly composed image by Peter Garrity is a good example of how bird photography need not always involve crippling close-ups or pristine light conditions to prove effective. Sometimes it's just about capturing those unusual and passing moments we witness while in the field, and that's exactly what Peter has achieved with his winning image, taken on a recent trip to the Farne Islands.

At first, it might just look like a group of flying Guillemots a fair way off, but when you notice the Puffin leading the line, you can't help but smile. With a boat in the backdrop, this makes for a quintessential Farnes scene and a worthy winner as we approach peak seabird season.

 

Other notable images

 

Spotted Sandpiper, Titchwell RSPB, Norfolk (Drew Lyness).

Ruff, North Uist, Outer Hebrides (Dean Eades).

Common Tern, Lerwick, Mainland, Shetland (Rebecca Nason).

Bridled Tern, Les Ecrehous, Jersey (Romano Da Costa).

White-faced Storm Petrel, Madeira pelagic (Martin Loftus).

 

Northern Gannet, Bay of Biscay, France (David Richens).

Common Swift, Westonzoyland, Somerset & Bristol (Carl Bovis).

Common Redstart, Church Stretton, Shropshire (Tony Webb).

House Martin, Alfreton, Derbyshire (Chris Nicholls).

Red-backed Shrike, Ormož, Slovenia (Peter Dedicoat).

Common Kingfisher, undisclosed site, Wiltshire (Mike Trew).

Swallowtail, Strumpshaw Fen RSPB, Norfolk (Chris Teague).