Portrait of a friend with yellow feet

Intro:
This is a portrait of a Yellow-legged Gull (Laurus michahellis/Gulfotat trut). They are quite common in the eastern Mediterranean area and are expanding. Nowadays we can even spot them in Sweden a couple of times every year. It is very typical with the yellow eye with a red orbital ring and yellow feet. I did a lot of flight photo practice as you can see them almost any time. It's just like a good friend you spend a lot of time with.

Geographic info:
This is from the island Pasman in the Croatian archipelago to the west of the town Zadar on the main land. We could sit on our terrace and observe and admire the flying skills of these amazing birds.

Technical information:
As always, Canon 300/f4 lens on a Canon 40D body. I used Stabilizer mode 2 here I have just learned the value of that for flying birds.... ;o) It is in rawformat and I used Adobe Lightroom for some adjustments before the edit in Photoshop CS3.

Just crop, levels, white balance and a bit hue
Sharpening with Photokit capture sharpener

I like the idea and the eye really is beautiful. I would go for a wider crop so the far wing is not clipped. The light is a bit harsh, photographing white birds (or any bird for that matter) works better in softer light. You should have dialed in negative EC instead of positive to keep the details in the white. Keep them coming!

I agree on the EC comment, but (despite the clipped wing) I wouldn't change the tight crop as I think is what you're going for with this shot, I specially like the wing behind, it adds a lot to the portrait! Congratulations!

Hey, do I know you from NFF???? :)

Agree with the previous comments, I'd probably go tighter on the right.
Keep them coming!

Though there is some detail along the edges of the top of the head, there are lots of over-exposed pixels. Zero is a good place to start when the sun is out with the 40D. Otherwise I like a lot about the image: the shrap eye and the framing/crop for two.