Pelicans and Sunset Composite revisited

D90; 80-400 @ 400mm. ISO 400, f/6.3 @ 1/4000s; matrix metering @ -1.0 EV. HH

After hundreds of frames unsuccessfully trying to tell the pelicans where to fly across this dramatic sunset, I gave up and pasted a pair where I wanted them. I posted a pano version of this last night on the ETL forum, but since it is a composite I've posted it here as well after making a few tweaks -- I cropped to 3:2 format, shifted sun and horizon to approximate the ROT, and further desaturated. Not sure which I like better, but here it is. C&C appreciated.

Bill, Awesome looking sunset and you did a great job w/ the composite. I love the gold swirls around the sun and the bright orange sky.Nicely done.

Thanks for the kind comments, Denise.

Bill, Beautiful colors and the composite work is very good. I might like the birds down in the frame just a hair and a tiny bit off the top. But it is still a really nice composition. Just another option.

I like the basic COMP but might take a bit off of the bottom. I would definitely make the birds blacker. If you need help on that, let me know.

Beautiful sunset and composite work Bill.

Beautiful composition. Love the colors here.

Nice image and application Bill.

Won't comment on sunset, as my screen shows bright red! Denise mentions orange. Probably mine is off.

I do think you could use some noise reduction though. Seems to be a little in there.

I won't change the crop. I think you have a good comp, personally.