The eye has it...

[David Roach]

EOS R RF 100-500 RF 1.4xtc @700 f10 1/125 ISO 800 HH, Manual EXP, cropped from vertical

I had just hung over the side of the boardwalk railing to get this beauty, posted earlier down in the water next to the boardwalk with slower shutter speed. I turned to leave for the morning and heard a crash of feet on the railing. It was the same subject, flew up to the railing within a couple meters. Up on the railing there was more light so simply spun around, raised shutter speed slightly and grabbed this frame with AF box on lower half of eye and cheek below. I was close, so I got the "old school" look of sharp eye only. This beauty immediately flew away as people passed on the boardwalk. I know many do not like it if most of the bird is not in focus. I still love the tack sharp eye with narrow DOF for emotional connection with the subject. Curious to hear what others think.

[gail bisson]

Hmmm...not loving this one! Just too much of the bill/neck out of focus. (As you anticipated!)
But, if your intent was solely to get us to focus on the eye, you succeeded. However, you would have been more successful had you gotten the head more parallel to the sensor.
Gail

[John Mack]

Well the focus is right where it should be. I like the background. But yes too tight.

[Arthur Morris]

Count me in the minority. I like it. At least nobody is telling you that you should have stopped down :)

with love, a

[David Roach]

Count me in the minority. I like it. At least nobody is telling you that you should have stopped down :)

with love, a

Yes, "old school" means as taught by you now some 15 years ago. If you get the eye, the bird is alive and engaging for the viewer... I do understand the other point of view as well. Thanks to all for very valued help. Please keep it coming.

[Jonathan Ashton]

I like it too - maybe I am showing my age!! I am immediately drawn to the eye and that is what takes my attention, he has a big long bill and a long neck, for me they are coincidental to the eye.