Teen Photographer Wins UK Contest with Falcon-Dragonfly Shot

Maksym Breus, a 17-year-old photographer, has won the Norfolk Wildlife Trust's 2026 Nature Photography Competition with a striking image of a hobby falcon chasing a dragonfly. The photograph, taken at Redgrave and Lopham Fen in Norfolk, England, required three years of patient observation and over 200 hours of fieldwork. Breus described the moment as 'absolutely indescribable,' emphasizing that his goal was to capture behavior and fleeting moments, not just animals. The competition attracted over 1,200 entries, from which 12 winners were selected for the trust's 2027 calendar. In addition to the overall prize, the competition recognized Tia Pardon, 16, for her backlit little egret at NWT Hickling Broad, and Clifford Wicker for his banded demoiselle damselfly at Ingoldisthorpe Water Recycling Centre. The overall winner receives a prize from ZEISS, while the other winners get gift vouchers. A free exhibition of winning images will be held at NWT Cley Marshes in October, and the calendar goes on sale in late September. The competition underscores the importance of wildlife photography in conservation efforts, with the trust highlighting the skill and dedication of amateur photographers.