Alan I like the almost tapestry look of the BG which makes the bird stand out very well ,bird small for the theme but still as plenty of detail and sharpness, very nice indeed.
Keith.
What a great background this is!! The sunlit spoonbill looks good against that dark backdrop. I do feel the branch pointing up towards the neck could go to improve the composition's "flow". That is quite an orange face on this spoonbill!
Nice light on the Spoonie, well placed in the frame; with a lovely evocative BG. Great for the theme. I agree it might be even better without the vertical stick.