Sand Hill Crane

Attachment 167159
Here is a picture of a Sand Hill Crane
Canon EOS 7D
ExposureTime: 1/160
f/5.6
Aperture priority
ISO: 200
Lens Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-56L IS USM
FocalLength: 390

Hi Bill, Let me go over a few things that might help, higher f-stop, don't center image, maybe a bit more contrast.
Nice background and head angle. I will re-crop to show you an option.

-Tim

Hey Bill ,lovely images but I too feel there was more to be had here. Bill first I'd have raised the iso,please note learner talkiing:bg3: so nothing I say is gospel just my thoughts on what I'd like to have tried. Raisning the iso would help increase the shutter speed and also the f Tim mentions. I'd have tried to frame this in portrait. Bill I am able to have an focal point set which kicks in automatically once the camera is orientated vertically. this really helps me when I have to move fairly quick. Honestly Bil, I struggle a bit with the orientation,but it makes framing and not cutting feet off in taller birds or animals much easier. even if I wasn't going for the whole bird ,maybe my thoughts were like yours more a head neck study I'd still be in portrait.

bill what Time mentions about DOF is something i'd have been worrying on too ,because I feel that beak if not paralell to the back of camera would present me with probs being so long .Again pulling the crane to the right in framing gives him a bit more space to look into.
Bill as before no experience talking here but I feel you have real potential here sp have gone through some of what I would be thinking about if making a similar frame, I love the bkg you have chosen to compliment the bird and the head turn:S3:
keep trying mate

Stu

Thanks Tim and Stu. I'm still trying to learn photography thing. I am going out this afternoon and shoot more wildlife. I will defiantly try you suggestions. Thanks Bill