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2007: The Eric Hosking Portfolio Award - Winner

Bence Máté Enlarge image Pool hawk

Bence Máté (Hungary)

Pool hawk

'If a bird sees you move, it gets spooked, so you can't adjust or change your lens. So I use a one-way “mirror” fixed to the front of my hide. This sparrowhawk spent an hour preening and occasionally leaning forward to sip, relaxed and unaware I was there.' Sparrowhawks are fierce-looking hunters. They eat other birds, usually smaller species such as finches and thrushes, but also those as large as woodpigeons. They live in woodlands, along hedgerows and in parks and gardens. Very agile fliers, sparrowhawks do not hover like kestrels.

Nikon D200 + Nikon MF 300mm f2.8 lens; 1/1000 sec at f2.8; tripod; hide.

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