Male White-winged Crossbill

[Mike Milicia]

EOS-1D Mk III, 500mm f/4 + 1.4xII, 1/500, f/5.6, ISO 400
Manual Fill Flash at -2
About 98% of Full Frame (very slight crop from top and right)

Removed one pine needle sticking out from behind the head.

Photographed this week at Salisbury Beach State Reservation campground.

Looking forward to your comments and critiques !

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Really awesome image Mike! At first I was a bit hesitant of the bright white BG, but I figured that is how it is and best leave it. Showing this gorgeous, razor sharp and well-defined bird in its habitat is a huge plus. :)

[Doug Hitchcox]

It is a little busy but nothing seems distracting enough to take away from the bird; maybe blur some of the sharper pine needles...
It is a great image, composition works really well. I wish it was mine.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Great to have him at eye level, details, pose and setting look good, too. Maybe a slight contrast boost?