Cormorant

This cormorant was photographed on a sunny morning whilst flying over swampland adjacent to the Murray river in South Australia. Canon EOS 7D Mark II, EF600mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4x III, 1/2500, f8.0, ISO 1000, manual, evaluative metering, handheld. Comments welcome.

Nice and sharp but the shooting angle is not the best. (the bird has already passed you and flying away)

I have to echo Karl's critique.
I would also try to lift the shadows on the belly.
Gail

I don't mind the occasional flying away shot -- that's what birds do sometimes. Nicely sharp for that much magnification handheld.

It would be interesting to see a comparison with a little lifting of shadows and lowering of highlights.

Ditto Karl and Gail. Personally, I just loose the connection with the photo when the subject is flying away from me.

I agree with the "bird passed you" critiques, always better to have the subject at least parallel to us. but I will add that the face is nice and sharp and I like the feathers on the near wing.

At least its not my usual bird butt in flight! Thanks for the comments everyone.