Black shouldered Kite with mouse

[Paul Burdett]

I arrived at my local wetland today with my camera settings at the ready for bif photos. However, as soon as I got there I happened to turn around and saw this Black Shouldered Kite with a mouse in its talons flying overhead, catching me unaware so to speak...so I snapped a few frames. Unfortunately there was one thing that wasn't right about this photo...which I did my best to "fixed" in Photoshop. So...I'd be interested to see if anyone can spot what I did (aiming to improve my post processing/Photoshop skills). c&c welcome as always.
I'm happy to post the original if needed.
7D Mkii, 400mm, 1/3200th sec, f5.6 iso640, manual mode, hand-held.
Cheers.

[Arthur Morris]

Nice bird, nice mouse. Nice pose. FFD too smooth ... If you take a close look you will see that you made a mess in the sky above the bird ... There are numerous cloning marks. Did you add canvas???

with love, artie

[Daniel Cadieux]

Cool to see the mouse clutched in the talons. I agree with Artie, plus I would shave preferred the nictitating membrane not be closed (however natural it is). The light angle was not to your advantage, but I do like the see-through effect it gave to the wings' flight feathers.

[Paul Burdett]

Hi Artie. You're right about the cloning marks...never noticed them on my main monitor until I just zoomed in quite a way...easily fixed but I'm annoyed at myself. Anyhow...here's the unedited image. Yes, I added canvas, but as you can see I clipped the wing so had a go at "fixing" that. I'll go back and clear up the clone marks. Artie: FFD?
Daniel: Thanks for the feedback as well.

update: FFD=Fine feather detail.

[John Mack]

You have caught a great view of the prey. Nice to see its eye.

[Paul Burdett]

Cheers John.

[arash_hazeghi]

mouse is great but the steep angle and the closed nictitating membrane spoils this one for me, better luck next time

[Arthur Morris]

Hi Artie. You're right about the cloning marks...never noticed them on my main monitor until I just zoomed in quite a way...easily fixed but I'm annoyed at myself. Anyhow...here's the unedited image. Yes, I added canvas, but as you can see I clipped the wing so had a go at "fixing" that. I'll go back and clear up the clone marks. Artie: FFD?
Daniel: Thanks for the feedback as well.

update: FFD=Fine feather detail.

Not much FFD as the underparts are gray not white. I almost never use the Clone Stamp for obvious reasons :) Learn to use Quick Masks for your repairs either in http://birdsasart-shop.com/the-birds...tal-basics-ii/http://birdsasart-shop.com/the-birds...tal-basics-ii/ or in APTATS I & II..

with love, artie