Winning Nature Photo | How a Teen Captured a Rare Falcon Hunt

Three Years in the Making

Seventeen-year-old photographer Maksym Breus has secured the top prize in a U.K. nature competition with a rare capture of a hobby falcon. The bird was photographed mid-hunt while chasing a dragonfly. The shot shows the falcon with talons extended, hovering just above the water at Redgrave and Lopham Fen in Norfolk, England. This specific image required an immense investment of time and patience.

Breus spent 200 hours in the field over a three-year period to track the bird’s habits and secure the shot. His dedication allowed him to anticipate the precise moment the hobby falcon descended to hunt. For Breus, this project was about more than a quick shutter click. He wanted to document the behavior of the predator in its natural state, capturing the tension and motion of the encounter.

Competition Recognition

The Norfolk Wildlife Trust hosted the 2026 Nature Photography Competition, which drew 1,200 entries. Judges selected Breus as the overall winner from a pool of photographers of varying ages and skill levels. His image will be featured in the 2027 calendar published by the trust, alongside eleven other winning entries.

Other categories also received significant attention from the judging panel. Sixteen-year-old Tia Pardon earned the Young Person prize for her backlit photograph of a little egret, taken at NWT Hickling Broad. Clifford Wicker took home the Mobile Phone category win with his sharp capture of a banded demoiselle damselfly at the Ingoldisthorpe Water Recycling Centre. The judges noted the high quality of the work submitted across all categories this year.

The Wider Impact and Exhibition

This competition highlights the vibrant wildlife photography community within the United Kingdom. Sponsors, including ZEISS, contributed prizes to support the winners. These awards provide recognition for both established hobbyists and young talent, encouraging further documentation of local ecosystems.

The Norfolk Wildlife Trust plans to display the winning photographs in a public exhibition. Starting in October 2026, the NWT Cley Marshes will hold a free show to feature these works. Calendars containing the full selection of winners go on sale in late September at trust visitor centers and through their online shop. This event reinforces the connection between photography, environmental education, and regional conservation efforts.