Foraging Beauty...

[David Roach]

Got my primary back from the shop and couldn't wait to get out before dawn. Had to lay down on the boardwalk at Wako this morning for this one. Imaged wide open to deal with busy background.
1DMKIIN 400 DO ISO 400 F4@1/500

[Arthur Morris]

Lovely bird, EXP, soft light, and sharp. The sutff in the foreground and on the right frame-edge is a bit distracting.

[David Thomasson]

Beauty indeed! Very nice. I agree with Art that the background is distracting. I don't think it's the stuff so much as its brilliant yellow color. Tone that down a bit and the beauty will pop out.

I cropped it, but that's just a personal preference.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Great details, pose and light look good, too. I agree that toning down the yellows in the BG helps.

[Stu Bowie]

Lovely pose, and nice and sharp. I would keep the original comp, but tone the yellows down, maybe not as much as David.

[David Roach]

Thanks to all, as usual. I had already slightly burned and desat the yellows, but I see the point. It was all new spring growth causing bright yellows and greens. Great job on the rework, David. I think somewhere between yours (too dull or muted) and mine might be best. Artie, I also get your point about the dead stalks in the FG. As always, thanks for the learnings!

[Arthur Morris]

YAW. I am fine with the BKGR colors. But I gotta admit I do like the repost.