American Avocet

Canon 1D4
500mm +1.4x
Skimmer Pod

ISO 500
f/8
1/2500

I spent a little over a week in a couple of wildlife refuges in NE Montana a couple weeks ago. American Avocets were one of my target species, and I was so happy to be able to spend some time photographing them in their beautiful breeding colors, and doing their elaborate mating rituals. I traveled to these two refuges mostly thanks to advice from stellar photographer Robert Royse, who has taken many of his fine avocet, stilt and grebe photos there.
Here is just a straight portrait I liked.
Thanks so much in advance for any comments and critiques.

Great looking breeding plumage captured, Melissa. Perfect HA, pose and IQ.

Very nice Melissa, lovely light and just enough to add a nice bit of detail even on the beak....maybe consider cropping a little more from the bottom as I dont think seeing quite so much of the rippled reflection is adding much to the image

Very nice IQ.
The Avocet looks terrific.
I would take some off the bottom and add to the top if you have it.

Very nice bird, pose and light. Very nicely done.

Great exposure with super details. You were blessed with good light and a special subject. The comp here isn't working for me. I'd go with less on the bottom and more on top, and I feel the bird is a tad cramped.

Wonderful portrait!

I'm OK with the room at the top and bottom for a tight portrait presentation but I would move the bird right a tiny bit.
I could also see more room at top and left if you wanted to go with a looser comp

Love that golden light and great looking subject. Great shot Melissa.

Wonderful shot.
Lovely light, great pose, excellent shooting angle and details.
Well done.

Thanks so much for the helpful feedback. I have added some canvas (he was close!) to the top and left, hope it feels less cramped now.
And took a touch of the bottom.

I would have loved to have seen the subject not so tight in the frame, but I see it came very close to you! Exposure and details look great, and you got yourself a good low angle. Sounds like you had a fun trip :-)

Beautiful capture of a beautiful bird, Melissa. One of my favorite birds and this breeding male looks great. Techs look good as does the details. The repost is about perfect for me comp wise. I might be inclined to remove the second catch in the eye. Very nice work.

Stunning bird and great light. I feel you need more space at the top of the comp and less at the bottom. As I type I now see you did a repost...there ya go! Nicely done.

I like the extra room top and left but too much off the bottom in the repost for my taste.
Might just be me but it really bugs me when the virtual feet are clipped or too close to the bottom edge.

Thanks all. Mike, I know what you mean, I am usually pretty rabid about virtual leg room, which is why I had all that space at beginning. I think I should put a touch more back in, and will do so on my copy at home.

very nice Melissa, good colors and low angle.

Beautiful breeding plumage. Love the pose with excellent colors and details.Very nice lights,perfect HA,wonderful IQ.
Re post is extremely beautiful,great composition.

Regards,
Satish.