Swallow in the frame - Stephen Powles - Wildlife Photographer of the Year2007

2007: Urban Wildlife - Highly Commended

Stephen Powles Enlarge image Swallow in the frame

Stephen Powles (United Kingdom)

Swallow in the frame

'Every summer, swallows nest in my garage in Devon, UK. I wanted to take a picture to show their speed and agility. So last year I put an old window frame in the flight-path and set up a trip-beam. The miracle is they or their offspring will return again next year to nest in the same place.' Swallows are excellent fliers. With their long wings and streamlined bodies, they are so agile they can feed on insects while flying at speed. They nest under shelter, often in quiet farm buildings. Swallows, related to martins, are most famous for their long migrations, spending summer in Europe then travelling thousands of kilometres to winter in South Africa.

Nikon D100 + AF-S VR-Nikkor 24-120mm lens; 1/180 sec at f13; ISO 200; Nikon speedlight SB800; X2 Vivitar flash 285; infrared beam; tripod.

This photograph is available to buy as a print.