Blue Tit by Martin Jump
I always enjoy seeing a very common species win our weekly competition; it usually means the photographer has had to use their imagination and plan a shot, as a straightforward portrait will rarely be a winner.
This week Martin Jump has certainly been creative; his drinking pool and his patience have rewarded him with a memorable capture of a Blue Tit leaning forward to take a drink. The reflection just sets the image off perfectly and the eye-level viewpoint greatly adds to the effect.
No photo information was included with the posting but whatever the lens and exposure was it has been used to great effect; congratulations to Martin on his winning photo.
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
Short-eared Owl, undisclosed site, Norfolk (Photo: Paul Newton)
Chaffinch, Greylake RSPB, Somerset & Bristol (Photo: Carl Bovis)
Bewick's Swan, Slimbridge WWT, Gloucestershire (Photo: Mike Trew)
Greenshank, Gambia (Photo: Dave J)
Pied Kingfisher, South Africa (Photo: Charlie Fleming)
Kestrel, undisclosed site, Glamorgan (Photo: Bob Hopkins)
Black Grouse, Langdon Beck, Durham (Photo: Martyn Sidwell)
Song Thrush, Douglas, Isle of Man (Photo: Brian Liggins)
Waxwing, Denmark (Photo: Morten Scheller Jensen)
Mute Swan, Scarborough Mere, North Yorkshire (Photo: Steve Race)
Bluethroat, Willow Tree Fen LWT, Lincolnshire (Photo: Jake Gearty)
Pygmy Owl, Belarus (Photo: Evgeny Solovyov)
Pallid Harrier, Portugal (Photo: Maxwell Law)
