Mute Swans by Dan Brown
When I first saw the thumbnail of this week's winner, my first thought was: "Why has someone posted a photo of a flower?!" Clicking on the photo, it immediately became apparent that it was in fact an innovative and unique image of feeding Mute Swans by Dan Brown, taken at Hogganfield Loch, Clyde.
OK, the one adult swan with its head raised has disturbed the perfect 'petal formation', and a couple of the young birds look like dead leaves (you'll have to try again, Dan!), but it's nevertheless a fantastic capture, taken from directly above.
So, what expensive lens and camera combination was employed? Dan actually used his iPhone, shooting at 1/1425th second at f11 on ISO25 — it just goes to show that effective bird photography isn't always about using a big lens.
Congratulations to Dan on his winning shot — I'm going to spend the day exploring the settings on my phone camera …
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
Waxwing, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire (Photo: Louie Horleston)
Marsh Harrier, Morston, Norfolk (Photo: Andy Thompson)
Waxwing, Langsett, South Yorkshire (Photo: Peter Garrity)
Kestrel, Saltholme RSPB, Cleveland (Photo: Roy Richardson)
Great Spotted Woodpecker, Belgium (Photo: Marc FASOL)
Grey Heron, South Africa (Photo: Jamie MacArthur)
Hawfinch, Parkend, Gloucestershire (Photo: Jim Hutchins)
Blue Rock Thrush, Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire (Photo: Sam Northwood)
Glaucous Gull, Filey, North Yorkshire (Photo: Mark Pearson)
Snowy Owl, Eday, Orkney (Photo: George Gay)
Glaucous Gull, Hartlepool Headland, Cleveland (Photo: Martyn Sidwell)
Green Woodpecker, Bourne Woods, Lincolnshire (Photo: Dean Eades)
