Great tailed grackle

[Ray Rozema]

Nikon D200 600 mm TC 1.4
Morning light. BG is a building in the distance
F 5.6 0 EV ISO 400 SS 1/640
Meter matrix

Few branches cropped out. Some NR on the bird and then sharpening
Bird singing for his mate.
Apppreciate suggestions. Should blotches in the background be cleaned up?

[Alfred Forns]

Hi Ray

Love this image !!! Good shadow detail on the bird and one fine bg !!! I'm not much into cloning things but would get my weedeater out and leave the perch only !!! Crop wise might take some of the top for a different ratio but is just taste .. and add a little up front if you have it !!!! Big Congrats !!

[Lance Peters]

Hi ray - nice details in the blacks - lovely BG really makes the bird POP. Love the open beak pose.
Nice work :)

[Jeff Cashdollar]

Sweet image, agree with Al on removing other branches. Wish light angle was more toward head - nice one - thanks for sharing.

Yes, I would clean up BG blotches, they might seem like digital noise or be a point of distraction and hurt a great picture.

[Alfred Forns]

.... btw forgot to mention one other thing about the image ..... wish it were mine :) love grackles !!!

[Ray Rozema]

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions and comments.

Ray:)