song sparrow, preening

[Dave Slaughter]

Preening sparrow after foraging on the water's edge of the Missouri river.
Canon 400d
sigma 170-500 lens at 500 mm
ISO 400
1/400
f9
Several branches in the background were cloned away.
I hope this goes through. I am having truble previewing the post.

[Lance Peters]

Hi Dave - lots of detail and looks sharp.

Eye looks a little out of focus, not sure if the HAP might get you.

:)

[Anita Rakestraw]

Nice detail in the feathers!! Focal point looks like it was on the body rather than the feathers, but still nice. The background is not so pleasant, especially the right side. I would probably burn most of that out if possible....

[Alfred Forns]

Not coming up either Will get back to it Still getting the sight running smoothly

[Julie Kenward]

Hi Dave! Gosh, it's good to be back! I think you caught a really interesting pose here but your BG (background) is really detracting from the overall focus on the bird. I'd love to see this with the BG all cleaned up and cloned out because the bird itself is so nice. I do think you might be a bit oversharpened in the head and neck area and, of course, the HAP (head angle police) are not going to be thrilled but - I think its an interesting image and worth the time to really make it pop. I'd also suggest toning down the branch just a bit.