Tree Sparrows by Brian Anderson
Tree Sparrow, Bempton Cliffs RSPB, East Yorkshire (Photo: Brian Anderson)
Photographing mating birds is no easy task. It's a brief affair so often conducted out of view and, as mentioned with our recent Corn Bunting winner, capturing both birds in appealing postures is difficult in itself.
Brian Anderson has taken full advantage of an opportunistic moment at Bempton Cliffs to take this lovely image of a pair of copulating Tree Sparrows. A 400 mm lens has been used, shooting at 1/2500th second at f5.6 on an ISO setting of 1600. The exposure is spot on with lovely lighting on the birds and the action has been frozen at this fast shutter speed.
Congratulations to Brian on his Photo of the Week.
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
Swallow, Minsmere RSPB, Suffolk (Photo: Barry Nield)
Jay, undisclosed site, Norfolk (Photo: Matt Crosby)
Common Tern, undisclosed site, Northumberland (Photo: Paul Mcmullen)
Puffin, Bempton Cliffs RSPB, East Yorkshire (Photo: Toby Houlton)
Pectoral Sandpiper, United States (Photo: Ron Marshall)
Kittiwake, Farne Islands, Northumberland (Photo: John Richardson)
Water Rail, Woods Mill NR, West Sussex (Photo: Dorian Mason)
Puffin, Isle of May, Fife (Photo: Dave Williams)
Grasshopper Warbler, Druridge Bay CP, Northumberland (Photo: Col Scott)
Whitethroat, Lakenheath Fen RSPB, Suffolk (Photo: Sean D'Arcy)
Green Sandpiper, Slimbridge WWT, Gloucestershire (Photo: Mr Clive Daelman)
Bearded Tit, Rainham Marshes RSPB, Greater London (Photo: John Few)
