<\/p>\n Armed with a Canon APS-C camera<\/a> and telephoto lens<\/a>, Ben used reach and precision to isolate the tiny cygnet. Photographed at around 359mm, the image features a shallow depth of field, no distractions, and keeps full focus on the resting bird.<\/p>\n Latest Videos From You may like<\/p>\n Young British Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026<\/p>\n \n To capture the scene, Ben used a telephoto zoom lens and masterfully isolated his feathery subject (Image credit: James Artaius)<\/p>\n Image details Shot info The story behind the still “They all lay down for a rest right beside me. <\/p>\n “The five newly hatched cygnets curled up together in a fluffy grey bundle and I captured this photo as one lay its little head on the back of its sibling.<\/p>\n “Nature can often be so cruel, but tender moments like this warm my heart!”<\/p>\n The BWPA competition<\/p>\n The British Wildlife Photography Awards (BWPA) is one of the UK’s most respected nature photography competitions, celebrating the diversity and wonder of wildlife.<\/p>\n Photographers compete across adult and youth categories, with winning images published in a hardback book by Graffeg.<\/p>\n For more winning images and full results, visit the BWPA website<\/a> and explore the incredible work of this year’s photographers.<\/p>\n You might like…<\/p>\n Check out our guides to the best cameras for wildlife photography<\/a> and the best lenses for bird photography and wildlife. <\/a><\/p>\n Looking for competitions to enter? Here are 10 global photo contests now open for entries from May to December.<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/media\/img\/digitalcameraworld_logo.svg\"){kind=logo}
<\/p>\n![\"Canon](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ZJeEvJmnoXEu77F8mvrdDQ.jpg\")
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Title: Feathery Pillow
Species: Mute swan (Cygnus olor)
Location: Hornchurch, England<\/p>\n
Gear: Canon EOS R10<\/a> + RF 100-400mm f\/5.6-8 IS USM <\/a>
Exposure: 1\/500sec, f\/8, ISO 250<\/p>\n
Ben says, “This was such an adorable moment to witness. A whole family of mute swans swam up to me as I was quietly sitting on the bank of a beautiful lake. <\/p>\n