Perfect Landing, by Vincent Foong, Singapore - amateur category, natural historyThis lesser adjutant - a large wading bird of the stork family - is executing the perfect landing on a disused wooden pile. Because of its size, not all landings are perfect. Sometimes the bird may even fall into the river, breaking its leg. There are about five breeding pairs in this river location in West Malaysia, and six of the birds have broken legs

Photograph: Vincent Foong/Sony World Photography Awards 2009