This is a wonderful look at this beautiful bird. Lighting is perfect, and the wider crop adds the perfect amount of context. Sharpness is almost there (like 8.5/10), the 2X certainly the reason. But this is still a killer frame, and a bit of selective sharpening on the head would help alleviate a relatively minor critique.
You got a lovely frame here, made speical by the stunning habitat and small bird in frame. Light and background are superb. The pose and the eye contact are spot on as well. Dorian mentions that the sharpness isn't spot on and i agree. You might wanna try TopazLabs new sharpening programme that many people started using recently, I find it better than selective sharpening in Photoshop for situations like this one.
birds are so beautiful! Would love to photograph them one day. Are they shy when approaching on foot?
Thanks for the comments and advice regarding the sharpening. Hi Ivan...Where I go they keep their 'safe' distance if you approach on foot, if you get too close, then they usually fly off in the opposite direction. However, if it is a male defending his territory, you can get real close. Apart from the one male I know I can get close to, I usually take photographs from the vehicle. Early morning there are always a few in range from the single tracked road. At this time of the year, and the winter months ahead, snow can be a problem, as this road does not get cleared of snow. However, a small amount of snow is good, if you use a 4x4, access can be gained to where they habitat. Black Grouse hang out there as well, but even more difficult to get close to. Because they shoot the grouse in this area, the birds are wary of human presence. I am sure you would enjoy photographing them. I am returning again tomorrow morning, it is about a 90min drive from where I live, so I will be at the Glen before the sun is up.