Patience.

It doesn’t always pay off, but sometimes it does, and today was one of those days. I’d waited patiently outside Bluebell Wood for about fifteen minutes, just listening to the birds with my camera. I could hear common chiffchaffs, song thrushes and even the occasional bullfinch, but none of them were in view to take a good photograph.

Then, as if by magic, a goldcrest landed on a branch a few feet away. It was almost as if it were chirping: “I know you’ve been waiting patiently for a good shot, so here’s your chance!”

Love this shot for the framing and the way the bird is looking at me. Did it really pop down just to reward my patience?