I've just found out that I've been fortunate enough to get the Birdwatch Magazine cover for May 2016, a portrait of a Red-footed Falcon that I photographed in Hungary in June of 2013. I obviously pay quite a lot of attention to cataloging and storing my best images, so it's usually an easy task to find files if it so happens that I have something that an editor is looking for. This particular image was taken on a week-long hide-based photo tour of the Hortobagy National Park a few summers ago via Sakertours. I'm actually not a fan of hides, I get very bored very quickly, but there is no denying that it presents unrivalled opportunities to get up close and personal with some stunning birds. My only previous magazine cover, also for Birdwatch, was I think roughly two years ago and was of some Bee-eaters from the same trip, so clearly this is telling me something! I actually think I'm a much better photographer now than I was three years ago, I have learnt heaps - not only technical knowledge but also I think I have a far better understanding of my subjects and what works and what doesn't, so perhaps it is time I went back to see if I can improve on some of the species where I didn't do so well.

Techie details: Canon EOS 5D MkIII with 500 f4L lens + 1.4x converter, tripod mounted at 1/800s, f5.6, ISO 800. Shot through glass in a hide where you had to wee in a bucket.