Our wetlands, your talent

Winner: Sukhdev Singh

Image title: Sky dancer
Captured at: WWT Welney

Sukhdev says: I was in the hide just to the right of the observatory, looking over the main lagoon, when I realised there was a swallow nest in the corner. Every five minutes or so, the parent birds would fly out through the window and return with their beaks stuffed full of insects for their five chicks. It was a wonderful photo opportunity; the challenge was freezing the birds in flight and getting a sharp image.

The jury says: Sukhdev has made this technically challenging image look easy. Birds in flight are always tricky, and swallows are small, swift and fly erratically. In his image, the subject is pin-sharp, its wings are held in the ideal position, and the light highlights the finest details of its steely blue head and tawny breast feathers. The crispness of the swallow is isolated perfectly against an exquisite wash of wetland colour. We salute you, Sukhdev.

Runner up: Ruth Spencer

Image title: Formation flying
Captured at: WWT Slimbridge

Ruth says: As a regular visitor, I know avocets often gather in huge numbers on the lakes at Slimbridge in April, so my goal was to photograph a flock taking flight. But I hadn’t expected that, a few seconds after take-off, the birds would wheel around in formation, wings outstretched, forming this beautiful abstract pattern in the sky.

The jury says: Thanks to her knowledge of the species and the location, Ruth was able to create this artistic vision of nature. Her simple but dramatic image showcases the exquisite beauty of the avocets’ plumage and demonstrates why we should all take a step back to see the bigger picture sometimes.

Youth winner: Jamie Smart

Image title: Action stations
Captured at: WWT Llanelli

Jamie (8) says: It was an unusually warm day and there were a lot of large dragonflies buzzing around. They’re amazing in flight – like tiny helicopters. I wanted to capture a photo of one hunting, but they don’t stay still for long! I tried over and over again, using different settings, and then finally got a shot I’m pleased with.

The jury says: An ambitious shot and Jamie has risen to the challenge. It takes tenacity and skill to photograph dragonflies in flight: Jamie has both in spades. This southern hawker’s four wings have good separation; you can even see the hairs on its legs. Bravo!

Special commendation:
Ian Howarth

– as featured on front cover of Waterlife

Image title: Flight of Fancy
Captured at: WWT Welney

Ian says: When I visited Welney last June, I spotted a Norfolk hawker dragonfly. It took a lot of attempts to get a sharp image.

The jury says: Ian’s head-on perspective, the sense of movement created by the vibrating wings and the gorgeous detail on the head and thorax made this shot a winner.