I captured this image at Anna Maria Island, Florida. 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)
1/4000 F/7.1 Matrix Metering ISO 400 AWB
Post processed in Lightroom CC and Photoshop CC
Cropped for composition and presentation
Joe Przybyla
"Sometimes I do get to places just as God is ready to have somebody click the shutter"... Ansel Adams
Hi Joe, like the slight tilt of the wings and head on approach, the slight hint of white cloud helps in adding a bit of interest to the BKG. Sadly to me the image looks soft and lacks sharpness/detail???
As the theme says these kind of shots are hard to get and a real challenge for both photographers and camera equipment. I am in the same shoes, Joe and I keep on practicing...and that is what it takes. Sun angle wasn't the best here and the closest side of the face is in shade. Also, as Steve mentioned it lacks sharpness and detail. Put don't give up and head out there again. Thanks for sharing.
I think this is a different and very pleasing image. I really like the straight-on angle for this subject because of the round shape of the dark head. Combined with the straight-on wings, it reminds me of a propeller mounted on a wall, but that's just me. Fittingly, too, it would be a "feathered" propeller -- one where the blades have been rotated for minimum drag when an engine quits.
My only suggestion is to correct the greenish color on the undersides.