Willet, accidental flyby, iso1600. Please tell me things!

[Jack Breakfast]

Greetings folks,
I was enjoying the vistas of Presqu'ile Provincial Park (Brighton, ONT) in the dimming light when quite suddenly a willet flew by! I'd never seen one of these lovely birds before and was more than excited. I managed three hasty shots; this one was in focus. I am presenting the image to you as captured. The bird is smackadoo in the center of frame, but I like it. Why? Because I'm a philistine! No no, it's because I enjoy the balancing S-curve in the water above and the willet's reflection in the water below. I very much want to hear what you folks say about this. I will welcome your opinions with open ears. Please bear in mind that I'd have loved a faster shutter speed, but this shot was quite accidental, I must say. Taken with the Canon 7D and 400mm f5.6 lens. iso1600, 1/1000, 5.6. Thank you folks, tell me everything you can! I will be especially glad to hear your ideas related to the composition of the shot...

[Marina Scarr]

Had the opportunity to visit this Park last December. I understand your excitement in seeing your first Willet and why you wish to keep the capture as is. Since you like the S-curve above the bird, I would consider a pano crop since the water at the bottom of the frame really isn't adding much to the image. A pano helps to showcase your bird while keeping your S-curve.

[arash_hazeghi]

it is a nice pose and good wing position but the bird is too small in the frame and I can't see much details. A tighter crop and placing the bird off-center will improve this one.

[gail bisson]

Hi Jack, Congrats on your first willet!
I agree 100% with Marina on the crop suggestion.
Bird is sharp with good wing pose. You did very well with the NR at 1600,
Gail

[Jack Breakfast]

Many thanks, Marina, for the excellent cropping suggestion. I prefer this composition, certainly...

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Jack, congrats on capturing your first Willet, and the flight pose has shown off the colours nicely. Comp wise, your repost has sorted out the best comp, and with the 's curve' across the top of the frame, moving the Willet to a more traditional ROT's on the right will lose the s curve effect.

[Melissa Groo]

Neat capture Jack, how exciting to get your first willet in flight shot, and so sharp. I just love them in flight. I think your repost shows it off to better advantage, certainly. I like that S-curve too.

[Jack Breakfast]

Many thanks for the comments and more-than-helpful composition-related suggestion, good folks!

[Daniel Cadieux]

I'll take that repost comp since you like that "S" (normally I'd prefer the willet motre at right, but I understand your wanting to keep that curve there). Only thing I cold suggest is to get rid of the cyan cast on the sunject. I selected it, and add some reds and yellows to taste in "Color Balance", and lightened the whites a tad via dodge tool (quick and dirty job just to show the potential difference). Hope you like. P.S. Did you get my PM?

[Jack Breakfast]

Ah Daniel, I love what you've done here, and I appreciate you telling me how you did it! Yes yes. Very good indeed. And I did get your PM and was just about to write you back! So I shall...