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.
Armed with a Canon APS-C camera and telephoto lens, 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.
Young British Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026
Image details
Title: Feathery Pillow
Species: Mute swan (Cygnus olor)
Location: Hornchurch, England
Shot info
Gear: Canon EOS R10 + RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM
Exposure: 1/500sec, f/8, ISO 250
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.
"They all lay down for a rest right beside me.
"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.
"Nature can often be so cruel, but tender moments like this warm my heart!"
Why APS-C cameras are great for wildlife photography
Wildlife photography is all about reach. While Ben was lucky enough to have a family of mute swans resting beside him, moments like that are incredibly rare in nature.
It's important to note that photographers need to keep a safe and respectful distance from wildlife – both for the animal's wellbeing and their own safety.
That's where APS-C cameras shine. Paired with a telephoto lens, cameras like the Canon EOS R10 used for Ben's photo offer extra "reach" thanks to their 1.5x to 1.6x crop factor.
The smaller sensor creates a narrower field of view – almost like using an in-camera teleconverter – making distant wildlife appear closer without needing a larger or more expensive lens.
There's an ongoing debate in wildlife photography over whether full-frame or APS-C cameras are best. Full-frame models are known for their high resolution, low-light performance, and ability to capture exceptional detail – but they often come with a much higher price tag.
APS-C cameras, meanwhile, hit a sweet spot between performance, portability, and affordability.
The BWPA competition
The British Wildlife Photography Awards (BWPA) is one of the UK's most respected nature photography competitions, celebrating the diversity and wonder of wildlife.
Photographers compete across adult and youth categories, with winning images published in a hardback book by Graffeg.
For more winning images and full results, visit the BWPA website and explore the incredible work of this year's photographers.
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