2006: Behaviour: Birds - Specially Commended
Bence Máté (Hungary)
Sparring herons
When a cold snap freezes the lakes near Bence's home in Pusztaszer, grey herons gather where a waterfall prevents an area freezing over. Only a few can fish at a time. Weaker ones must wait for the stronger ones to feed and leave. Inevitably, squabbles break out. Bence is usually on hand to record the drama, wrapped in a sleeping bag - last year, when this picture was taken, the temperature was -10°C. 'Grey herons maintain their elegance even when arguing,' says Bence, 'their plumage accentuated by the dull, flat light'.
Canon EOS 300D with Nikon MF 300mm f2.8 lens and Canon EOS-Nikon converter, Nikon TC-14B teleconverter; 1/2000 sec at f4; hide.
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