Nommie's shortlisted entries in attention to detail

My 4 shortlisted photographs in Bird Photographer of the Year, Attention to Detail category.

This was the brief:

"This category looks at the smaller details of a bird. This could be a close-up headshot, or a macro image of feather details. The judges will look for an image that shares the more intimate details of a bird that we don’t get to appreciate from a wider view."

Water off a duck's back

The way birds can live on water, yet keep themselves warm and dry fascinates me. This image shows the intricacy of a falcated duck's feathers, impervious to water. Their miraculous waterproofing enables every droplet to roll like a bright bead of mercury before falling back into the pond. Taken at the Slimbridge Wetland Centre, Gloucestershire.

Water off a penguin's back

The way birds can spend so much time beneath the water, yet keep their bodies warm and dry fascinates me. This macaroni penguin dived for food, and whenever it came up for breath, the well oiled and tightly sealed feathers caused the water to form droplets that rolled like mercury and glistened in the mid-day sun. Taken at the Living Coasts Centre, Torbay (now closed due to the pandemic).

Blackbird under-feathers

This blackbird had been dead for a short time so I could bring my lens very near, close enough to see the pastel beauty of its soft and creamy under-feathers. Their exquisite fluffiness and lightness allowed them to flutter, weightless in the breeze. Taken on my patio early one morning. Five minutes later a crow carried it away.

Jewel of feathers

The soft grey wings of this hybrid mallard create a jewel-shaped frame, revealing the exquisite iridescent aquamarine feathers below. Taken in the seaside town of Dawlish, South Devon.