Your dragonfly images won in the competition, and your bird photos kick ass. Not got much to worry about. You should see me chasing bugs around a field so that I can get 3" away to get a decent shot with my Olympus! Its not so much technique for me as being lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time!

Quite like the look of this:

http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/676/show.html

should be high enough to allow me to shoot while standing and 10Kg should be plenty

This looks to be more like it: http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-Manfrotto-679B-Monopod-with-Free-234-Head/p1520597?cm_mmc=GoogleBase-_-Tripods-and-Monopods-_-Monopods-_-Manfrotto-679B-Monopod-with-Free-234-Head_1520597

I got one of the manfrotto monos but got a separate head so I could use the quick release plate, same as my tripod

I ordered the warehouse express one in the end

Not a bad looking set from warehouse express, might have to ponder getting one Ive only got a cheapo ebaytastic monopod thats not much use.

Biggest thing for me with a monopod is it replaces my stick when carrying the camera. Very useful on the few days I get out to take pictures.

As for pictures you will always look at your own more critically than someone elses. People produce duff photos from time to time, even the experts. For every photo you see there are at least 99 that dont make the grade.