Boat-tailed Grackle (m)

[Joseph Przybyla]

I captured this image at Circle B Bar Reserve in Polk County, Florida. Comments and critique welcomed and appreciated. Thank you for viewing.

Nikon D7000
Nikon 70-300mm F/4.5-5.6 VR AF-S ED shot at 300mm (450mm FFE)
1/1000 F/5.6 Matrix Metering +1 EV ISO 400 AWB
Post processed in Lightroom CC and Photoshop CC 2017
Cropped for composition and presentation

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Joe, love the light in this which has really brought out the different hues on this fellow. I also like the look back pose, nice and sharp, and the Grackle pops nicely against the lighter water BG. Comp wise, I would move the bird and perch over to the left a bit more.

[annmpacheco]

Hi Joe, I agree with Stu's recommendation of moving the bird/perch over to the left. Also, the brown eye looks too light... Maybe it is natural with the light you had or maybe if you increased exposure in processing the usually dark eye lighten a bit too much IMO... love the colors you captured and the perch is nice.

[Joseph Przybyla]

Stu and Ann, thank you for viewing, commenting, and suggesting improvements. Here is an edit moving the bird and perch more to the left.

Ann, the eye is natural, now work done to the eye. Interesting fact, this is a Florida and Gulf coast Boat-tailed Grackle which has a brown eyes. Those on the rest of the Atlantic coast have a yellow eyes.