18-year-old photographer wins top prize with heartwarming cygnet image – "They all lay down for a rest right beside me"

Close-up of a sleeping cygnet with its head resting on its body, showcasing soft grey and white feathers.

The heartwarming wildlife image Feathery Pillow shows a newly hatched cygnet resting its head on one of its siblings – a tender moment that earned 18-year-old photographer Ben Lucas the top prize in one of the UK's most prestigious wildlife competitions.

Ben 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.