Pelican in preening pose

[Gerhard Weldhagen]

This image was created a few days ago under overcast winter skies and I found this bird sitting on a dead tree cleaning itself during a mayfly hatch. The lighting and lack of contrast gave the scene a surreal studio-like feel. Your comments will be appreciated.

Canon EOS 7D Mark II, EF600mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4x III, 1/800, f5.6, ISO 500, monopod. DPP / CS6, cropped for composition, OOF mayflies removed.

[Allen Sparks]

Hi Gerhard,
Nice portrait here with fine details, sharpness throughout and a pleasing pose. I would try moving the bird off center with cropping from the right. I would also suggest including more of the perch but it looks like there may be other elements below which could be an issue. In either case a fine image.
Allen

[keith mitchell]

Gerhard maybe a little tight at the bottom but that apart it all looks very good to me,think the pose really makes it.

Keith.

[christopher galeski]

Yes very nice Gerhard,good pose great detail,agre on more view of the perch.TFS.

[stuart wanuck]

lovely clear image

[Arthur Morris]

Beautiful bird and love the soft light. I am envious... Sharp with a nice EXP but I think that the bird could go a bit lighter.

Image design: the bird needs to be more to our left with this great pose and the feet are too tight below. Do you have more room below and right? a

[Gerhard Weldhagen]

Beautiful bird and love the soft light. I am envious... Sharp with a nice EXP but I think that the bird could go a bit lighter.

Image design: the bird needs to be more to our left with this great pose and the feet are too tight below. Do you have more room below and right? a

Thanks Arthur. Unfortunately no space left below and right. I have other images in this series that may crop better.

[Arthur Morris]

Or you might be able to grab source material from one of those other images with which you can expand canvas... YAW. a