Cold and Tired...

[David Roach]

On a cold morning this past fall, made this image on Edisto Island, SC.
1DMKIIN 400DO 1.4xtc ISO 200 F10@1/800

REPOST per Axel's crop comments.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I like the setting, angle and eye contact. I would give it a bit more space at the right and would apply some NR on the BG.

[Alfred Forns]

Love the bird and pose David Not sure about the bg Something going on besides noise Could be processing?

[Sid Garige]

Color progression, pose and eye contact are good.

Noise is an issue like others mentioned.

[Raymond Barlow]

the bg looks like the texture of the oof sand, and the composition here is excellent., very well done, spectacular image.

[David Roach]

Thanks again for the suggestions. Raymond is correct, that is not noise but OOF beach sand. I took this from the surf and used that natural color beach sand as the BG. There is a progression from totally wet (reflects the blue sky) to partially wet (looks splotchy - partially blue, partially tan) to dry (solid tan). I was already below the bird, but I guess even lower would have gotten more of the solid color. Also more wide open would have helped, I guess.

[Maxis Gamez]

Yeap! I was going to say the same thing David, that does not looks like noise to me.

I like the composition, details and shadow. Good work!

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

Agree with all of the above David. Love the pose and eye contact in this image. thanks for sharing.