Pied Kingfisher in flight

[Amirtharaj Williams]

Misjudged my distance from the bird and couldn't keep one of the wingtips in the frame as it went flying past from a perch. Got only one shot and so couldn't use APSTATs lessons :). Advise on how to avoid such mistakes & improving the PP is most appreciated.
Camera & Lens: Nikon D3S with Nikkor 500 VR
1/5000; F5
ISO:3200

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Wing position, BG, eye contact and sharpness look all very good. You could tone down the whites on the neck a bit and run NR on the BG.

[Stu Bowie]

Im not sure if you were set up for a take off shot from his perch. If so, I use one of the outside focussing points, so when he does take off, he's flies into space. If you were tracking him when you pressed the shutter, and cut his wing off - do I have to tell what to do ;) With regards to cutting off a wing tip, we all do it, it makes going back to get a better shot next time more fun.

[Gerrie van Vuuren]

Like the wing position & BG. Ditto neck whites.:)

[Doug Brown]

We all clip a wingtip every now and then. For flight you need to frame loose to be able to get the entire wing when it's in either the full up or full down position. Most folks are just happy to get the kingfisher in the frame at all! :D

[Amirtharaj Williams]

Thanks everyone. It is good to come back to BPN after a while in the field. Re-posting the image.

[Doug Brown]

Forgot to mention that I'd probably crop a little off the right side of the image.