Double-crested Cormorant

[Indranil Sircar]

This was taken last year in September in the Palo Alto Baylands in California. Is the background distracting? Settings are -

Canon 40D + Sigma 50-500 F4-6.5 APO DG HSM
ISO 400, 1/350 sec, 500mm at f8

[Jim Neiger]

Hi Indranil,

I like the pose you've captured with the raised foot. The bg is a bit distracting, but does show the habitat. I like the perch and the reflected colors in the water. A little more room on the top and bottom would have been nice. I think it would also benefit from a little more USM on just the bird.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I think it is a very nice habitat image. I agree that a bit more space top and bottom and sharpening of the bird would improve the image.

[George DeCamp]

Have to agree with my buddies above. Besides what they said perhaps a vertical crop would look nice here.

[Jody Melanson]

Nice exposure. Yes I think the BG is a little distracting. It looks like he was a little distance from you. A shallower DOF would have given you more separation from the BG.

[Ian Colley]

I agree with comments above, more room and sharpening. I like the background, I think it adds some interest to the image.

[Indranil Sircar]

Thanks for all the feedback. Here is the updated version...