Sedge Warbler Take-Off

I spent some time photographing this Sedge Warbler singing to attract a mate in the reed beds at Cley-next-the-Sea, North Norfolk. Every now and again it would fly off to feed, chase off a rival or to carry out a spectacular aerial display. By repeatedly observing this behaviour I was able to anticipate the moment of “take-off” and captured this image at the start of its flight just as it was launching itself from its perch and about to beat down its raised wings.