Note: For this competition, I have discounted photos of birds with bright colours or significant markings; I'm being strict with my interpretation of "little brown jobs".

Winner:  Buff-rumped Thornbill - Glenn Pure (Image #17746)

This is sharply focused, has appealing eye contact and excellent feather detail. The Buff-rumped Thornbill photo has clearly captured the essence of an LBJ.

The bird is well lit and fills the frame. The photographer has done well to position themselves for a lightly textured but clear background with neutral colours. A deserving winner!

Highly Commended:  Jacky Winter - Kathy Zonnevylle (Image #17756)

Although less sharply focused, the Jacky Winter photo shows another quintessential LBJ. The lightly coloured bird contrasts very nicely with the smooth, darker background. The perch gives a clue to the bird’s habitat and is more interesting than a plain branch. There is sufficient feather and marking detail to help confirm identification. The bird could possibly benefit from some sharpening.

Commended:  Weebill - Glenn Pure (Image #17805)

This image is super sharp allowing clear identification of the finer features of Australia’s smallest bird and one of its most notorious lbjs. It would have benefitted from a less distracting background, but of course that is often easier said than done!

Commended:  White-browed Scrubwren - Glenn Pure (Image #17846)

The sharpness of this image makes the white-browed scrubwren pop out of the screen. There is a nice light on the bird and a catch light in the eye. Again, it would benefit from a less distracting background.

Commended:  House Sparrow - Chris Dubar (Image #17918)

This is a good, sharp image of one of the world’s most prolific lbjs. The sparrow has a nice, easy stance. Its features are clearly identifiable. There is a soft light on the bird and a soft, neutral background.  The only drawbacks are the reeds which are a little distracting.