Jim, loved the contemplative mood here. Wondering if toning it down a bit might improve upon that feel aspect. impressive IQ at that distance. Well done as always.
Eye contact isn't everything and I think this image works very well...gives the viewer the impression he's pondering his next days fishing adventures. :)
As far as the ye contact goes, I agree it could have bee nicer but at that distance and with the tiny window I was working with to get this particular composition, there wasn't a heck of a lot that I could do.
As far as "toning it down"...I assume you're referring to the warmth of the light and I've already toned it way down. This bird was in the last seconds of the setting sun and literally was glowing orange....which would have been reality but I know nobody would have believed it :)