Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus. Leeds, United Kingdom.
Photographer: Start Petch, United Kingdom. Category: Attention to Detail. BRONZE AWARD WINNER.
Photographer’s Story: ‘This image shows the very finest feathers – the down – on a male Sparrowhawk’s breast. A fresh road casualty in a busy urban space, I rescued this male Sparrowhawk from the side of the road, hoping to share the beauty of the bird and his feathers. It was important to me to keep the bird in as natural a light as possible, so I took my picture outdoors in dappled sunlight on a slightly breezy day. Soft winds were ruffling the down, and I used a fast shutter speed to ensure good focus, but still retain a hint of movement. I wanted that swirling softness. The result is a beautiful but poignant reminder of the bird’s sad fate.’
Canon EOS 6D with Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens. 100mm focal length; 1/2,000 second; f/2.8; ISO 320. Handheld.
