I think it would be better if the pelicans have the sky as the background. To achieve that it could mean you needed to shoot it from a lower perspective or before the pelicans got that low. That, I don't know if it could be done when you were there. My $0.02.
Different corp and I like it Cheryl. Would like seeing the pelicans out of the middle and more toward a corner. The beautiful sky sort of balances the birds. Placement is a mater of taste and will get many options, most images which greatly differ like this one will always have that !! Very creative !!!!
Thanks, Al. Oh, daughter is now in Anchorage and having fun, but not being able to find any wildlife, let alone birds, to photograph. Let's see, so far the only injuries (she has told me about) have been a re-sprained ankle, and loss of skin on her hands from rope burns from _indoor_ wall climbing. lol but she is still glad she is there.... today she scheduled another hike hoping to find photo ops....
oops, signed in on Lisa's program. sorry. obviously I wrote the above message about her being in AK.
Al, you mentioned another crop, is this one more like what you were referring to? Do you think it need more water below the birds?