Small Birds

There were so many posing perched bird shots in this contest - or 'bird on a stick' as some like to call it. Out of the hundreds and hundreds of frames with this theme, this is what I consider to be the most accomplished of them all. The light here is soft with a nice warm tone to it - perfect for this approach. The bird is separated from the background expertly and the tones of that background 'canvas' match the subject perfectly. This is essential to make the image hang together in a cohesive way and feel pleasing to look at. The bird itself has a lovely pose, being directly side-on to the camera, its head tiltled slightly towards the lens. The point of focus is on the eye, and there is sufficient depth of field to provide detail in all the feathers and the perch below. What the photographer has really done well is to dress the perch with a pleasing combination of leaves and lichen - this adds some interesting colours and textures that marry well with the rest of the scene. So many photographers concentrate too heavily on the subjects and forget that the perch is as important - not the case here. I also really like the off-centre composition which gives the bird some space to look into - a central composition would not work as well. This is a portrait masterclass that we can all learn from.

This photograph is all about that contrast between the darker tones of the bird and the bright and vibrant yellow of the gorse. The shallow depth of filed has meant that most of the gorse is beautifully out of focus and forms a uniform colour. The spike the bird is perched upon remains in focus to tell the viewer where the yellow comes from. The pose of the bird has a nice balance, those wings outstretched behind so the body and head are clear. The beak is slightly open which adds to the dynamics of the image. The off-centre composition is a good choice, with plenty of space on the left for the bird to 'look into'.

This image combines so many concepts and techniques resulting in a stunning final frame that it had to be included in my top 10. The photographer has used a combination of ambient light and flash to create this trail effect. If you look at the camera settings, you will notice that the shutter speed was 1/13 second - this balanced with the ambient light has created the blurry trail, a rear curtain sync flash capturing the sharp image of the bird at the end of the exposure. Balancing the whole thing against a background that will render almost black in the resulting image caps it all off nicely. I can't imagine just how many frames the photographer must have taken to get this result - a beautiful diving pose that really makes the colours pop, the blurry trails adding energy to the scene.

Dippers are such extraordinary birds and their rather rounded and dumpy profiles make them great subjects, especially when surrounded by water. They feed on small aquatic invertebrates they find under the stones and rocks that line the riverbeds of fast-flowing streams and rivers. Most images I see are of them perched on rocks, the water bubbling around them. I was drawn to this photograph as it has captured such a unique moment as the bird's prey item is moments from consumption as it heads into the bird's beak. The skill to photograph this scene, with that perfect focal point directly on the bird's eye, should not be underestimated. With so many elements to confuse the autofocus, the photographer has chosen their settings well. Also note the fast shutter speed that would have been used to freeze the action. Compositionally, this image really works - the bird is perfectly placed in the frame, the lines of water forming clear divisions between foreground, subject and background. Those airborne water droplets add to the drama.

All judges that I have ever worked with agree that the most difficult type of wildlife shots to do well are those that have the subject small in the frame and include lots of habitat to add context. Balancing the subject with these other elements is much more tricky than you would think as the photographer has so many elements to juggle to achieve a pleasing image. Of all the wider style shots in this competition, I think that this is the most successful. Firstly, I really like the warm pastel tones of the summer dawn sky - this is the perfect background to compliment the reeds that this species calls home. Secondly, the bird is placed in an ideal position in the frame on the intersection of thirds. Also, see how it towers above the surrounding reeds on a tall stem, creating separation and ensuring our eye is drawn immediately to it. I also really like the contrast of the dark areas of plumage, these stand out starkly against the brighter background, again helping to focus our attention where the photographer intended. The depth of field is simply delicious, enough to tell us about the environment, but subtle enough to isolate the subject perfectly. This image transports the viewer to that early morning on the Norfolk Broads and the encounter with this Reed Bunting.

I have seen this image before in other contests that I have judged on this platform. Despite this, it still has the ability to attract my attention through its expert composition and display of skilled photographic techniques. The fact that I remember it so well speaks volumes and, for those reasons, it has to be included in my top 10. Hummingbird photography can be a little formulaic - the tried and tested multiple flash outdoor sudio approach is a well-worn record in the bird photography world. But, there are masterpieces among the one-hit-wonders, and this image is as perfect as it gets for this style of photography. Every element here has been carefully planned. Just look at the way the photographer has positioned the flower - it emerges directly from the top left corner of the frame and curves pleasingly in an 's' shape to anchor the left side of the image while leaving the space for the subjects. The background (likely a painted board or sheet) has such beautiful and complimentary tones and textures. The position of the birds themselves is so nice - note how there is the connection without any overlap between them. They are also in the ideal spot in the frame to balance the whole composition. The interaction between them is compelling and is the thing that really makes this photograph stand out.

Photography is all about recording the light, and by adjusting the setting on our cameras we can record what we see in very different ways. Here, the photographer has deliberately under exposed this image - they have clearly recognised the opportunity to use the contrast in light levels to isolate the bird by rendering the background dark. This makes those feathers and features of the bird pop off the page and grab our attention. I love the pose of the bird - waiting for it to sing and grabbing that moment adds an animation to the image that brings it alive. This image is a great example of not photographing what the eyes see literally, but using the camera to interpret the scene in a more artistic and dramatic way.

Another very popular subject in this, and many other bird competitions, are hummingbirds. Most are photographed with a traditional outdoor studio-style set-up with multiple flashes to freeze the motion of the fast-moving wings of these ting birds - a method that I am sure was used to photograph this image. What I like about this is the steer away from the popular bird coming to the flower shot in favour of interaction between birds. This is far more unpredictable, but much more interesting in my view. I like the mirrored pose of these two protagonists with their outstreched wings and downward-pointing tails. The extended head feathers add to the feeling of drama. The clean background ensures that all the attention is on the birds and the action. It's nice to see a hummingbird image with a difference.

With nearly 6,000 photographs entered into this contest, choosing a winner was never going to be easy. To get considered for a top spot, the technical attributes of the image need to be as near perfect as you can make them. Here, the exposure, focal point, depth of field and composition are all really well judged. The smooth out-of-focus background is essential to make this shot work as all your attention needs to be on the subject. The lighting is soft, the exposure perfect, and that has allowed so much detail to be captured. But the wow factor for me comes from the composition and the capture of the moment itself. I can't recall ever having seen anything that similar before. Just look at that delicious triangle that has been formed by the threads of the material the bird is harvesting, and how that shape is mirrored by the bird's wings. The outstreched wings, legs and tail give the bird a pose that recalls a trapese artist swinging high above an audience's head. This is just so compelling - a lovely moment expertly captured.

Kingfishers are always a popular subject, and this contest was no exception. With their bright colours and handsome features, it's easy to see why they see so many of our lenses pointed at them. There were dozens of perched and diving birds entered, but this is one of the shots that stood out the most. A common theme with images that work well is how the background and other elements of the frame are composed. Here, the background is uncomplicated and of a colour that compliments the subject - note the low angle of view which is essential to make this shot work. The photographer would be at water level here. The pose of the bird forms such a beautiful shape as it emerges from its unsuccessful dive. Those water droplets add a really dynamic element to the frame and help the overall compostion work so well. The fast shutter speed has ensured that the important elements are sharp, but note that there is still motion blur creeping in on the wings, even at 1/4000 sec! A great shot that was worth the wait.

This shot is all about timing to get the perfect frame. I really enjoy the interaction of the two birds in this image - they are close enough together to illustrate the connection, but note how there is still some clear separation with no overlapping elements. The background is smooth, uncluttered, and of a nice complimentary tone. The perch is also attractive and is compositionally very comfortable in the frame. Shutter speed, focal point, exposure, and depth of field all show an experienced hand.

One of the top portrait shots in the competition for me. The combination of smooth, warm-toned, uncluttered background with those complimentary out-of-focus foreground elements form a nice frame within which this Blue Tit sits. The contrasting colours of its plumage help to make it pop out of the frame, and I love the direct eye contact which creates immediate connection with the viewer. The overall composition is solid - see how the angled pose of the bird forms a nice diagonal from top left to bottom right corners of the frame. The choice of perch is also well balanced, feeling natural and of a nature that also compliments with some nice tones and textures. Beautifully done.

This Linnet is one of my favourite portrait images in the competition. I love the uncluttered and simple background which has a complimetary warm tone to it. There are some out-of-focus foreground elements that help to hide any foreground distractions and frame the bird beautifully. The exposure and focal point are perfect allowing the viewer to enjoy some great detail in the subject. The perch is also blends into the scene well, and I like the off-centre composition which is nicely balanced.

What better way to photograph a snow bunting than in the snow?! There is something rather special about this photograph that I just can't seem to put my finger on, but I kept coming back to it and found myself rather captivated. I think it is the combination of the species and the conditions that align so well, the whites of the plumage the perfect partner for the white of the snow. Technically, the photographer shows great skill, especially with the choice of exposure. There has been a deliberate choice to over expose slightly to ensure those whites really dominate - I think this is a great choice that makes the image work so well. The bird is beautifully isolated through a combination of low angle of view, long focal length lens and subject distance from the background. Those snowflakes really pop against the muted background tones and add that atmosphere that is so essential for the image to stand out.