{"id":463957,"date":"2026-05-28T06:58:19","date_gmt":"2026-05-28T06:58:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/463957\/"},"modified":"2026-05-28T06:58:19","modified_gmt":"2026-05-28T06:58:19","slug":"18-year-old-photographer-wins-top-prize-with-heartwarming-cygnet-image-they-all-lay-down-for-a-rest-right-beside-me-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/463957\/","title":{"rendered":"18-year-old photographer wins top prize with heartwarming cygnet image \u2013 “They all lay down for a rest right beside me”"},"content":{"rendered":"

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“A whole family of mute swans swam up to me as I was quietly sitting on the bank of a beautiful lake,” explains the award-winning photography talent. | Credit: \u00a9 Ben Lucas \/ British Wildlife Photography Awards<\/p>\n

The heartwarming wildlife image Feathery Pillow shows a newly hatched cygnet resting its head on one of its siblings \u2013 a tender moment that earned 18-year-old photographer Ben Lucas the top prize in one of the UK’s most prestigious wildlife competitions.<\/p>\n

Ben<\/a> was named Young British Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 after capturing a quiet moment within a mute swan family at Hornchurch, England, revealing the softer, more intimate side of nature.<\/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

Young British Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026\"Canon<\/p>\n

To capture the scene, Ben used a telephoto zoom lens and masterfully isolated his feathery subject | Credit: James Artaius<\/p>\n

Image details
Title: Feathery Pillow
Species: Mute swan (Cygnus olor)
Location: Hornchurch, England<\/p>\n

Shot info
Gear: Canon EOS R10<\/a> + RF 100-400mm f\/5.6-8 IS USM <\/a>
Exposure: 1\/500sec, f\/8, ISO 250<\/p>\n

The story behind the still
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

“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