I really like the action going on here, and kudos the fact the eye is visible on the preening bird. Good composition too. I do wish the head angle on the "stretching" bird was a bit better...and I find the stump and other dark object rather unfortunate to have been there.
I like the composition and the fact that bpth birds are in different actions/positions. Really good that you catched the eye contact of both birds. I agree with Daniel about the stumps being very distracting. Nice light and good sharpness.
All in all a good image. The stump is an either or issue with me. There or not there I don't think it detracts that much from the image. The exposure is spot on. Like the trailing water off of the bill. Nice image.
Quite a balancing act going on. Great that you have the open eye on the left bird and the water from the bill on the right. Small pity about the chopped off reed stump.
Thanks for the nice comments , i will have to put in a formal recomendation at the Bird Sanctuary
to have that stump removed/ pulled out . It's a very popular hide .......