Ring-billed Gull

[Joseph Przybyla]

I captured this portrait of a Ring-billed Gull at Lake Mirror in Lakeland, Florida this morning. Comments and critique welcomed and appreciated. Thank you for viewing.

Nikon D7000
Nikon 80-400mm F/4.5-5.6 VRII AF-S ED shot at 400mm (600mm FFE)
1/1000 F/5.6 Matrix Metering - 2/3 EV ISO 100
Post processed in Lightroom 5 and Photoshop Elements 10
Cropped for composition, dodging and burning on feathers, minus highlights in some areas for definition of feathers

[William Dickson]

Lovely details on this gull Joe. And, what a lovely colour of BG. Well done

[adrian dancy]

I would have expected a slightly warmer image for a morning shoot but it still remains a superb image....I love the crackle glazed eye!

[David Salem]

Better than the thumbnail looks. Very nice exposure control and details. Maybe try warming up the temp a bit to see what it looks like. I like Gulls and this is a great closeup look at one. Well done and TFS

[John Cooper]

Superb detail Joseph - your processing has really emphasized the feather detail here, and that hue of blue is an ideal backdrop.

[Daniel Cadieux]

I agree that a warmer WB would be ideal here. Excellent details, the whites look well exposed and processed. I'm not entirely sold on the crop though - it feels tight above. I still like it overall though as I'm a fan of gulls.

[Joseph Przybyla]

Thanks everyone for viewing, commenting and offering suggestions to improve the image. Based on the comments and suggestions here is a do over. I warmed the image slightly and cropped differently after trying several options.

[Jim Crosswell]

That eye is amazing! I like the exposure, details and sharpness. I like the repost better but would add a little more canvas in front of the Gull. Very well done Joe.