Theme: Eye level Gull

[Bill Dix]

I posted this on ETL last month, but since it seemed so relevant to this month's theme, I figured I'd post it here as well. Jersey shore, last month, on a gusty day. I was practicing hand-holding the 500+1.4, when this Ring-billed Gull swooped down closer than I expected, and more than filled the frame. Cropped for comp. C&C appreciated.

D90 | 500f4 + 1.4X | ISO 640 | 1/4000s @ f/7.1 | -0.7 EV | HH

[Randy Stout]

Bill:

Good impact here, certainly fits the theme. Excellent job on exposure.

Like the lighting on the back edge of his left wing.

Well done Bill!

Randy

[Roman Kurywczak]

Definitely fits the theme Bill!!! I like the presentation you chose also!

[Pieter de Waal]

Nicely done on the exposure and comp Bill, good detail allround.

[Doug Brown]

This image certainly fits our theme nicely! I particularly like the crop. You did a good job controlling the whites. I'm wondering if some selective sharpening of the head would help, but of course I'm viewing this from my laptop.

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

Bill, excellent details and loved the tight crop. If mine, I'd remove the catchlight.

[Bill Dix]

Thank you all for the comments. Here's a repost with a bit of selective sharpening (the nape seems to be blurred or oof and won't sharpen up); and the catchlight removed. Thanks for looking. (Edit: Looking at the repost,I may have overdone the sharpening on the top of the head.)

[Michael Zajac]

Repost looks good. Sharp and well exposed.

[OvidiuCavasdan]

I like the composition a lot, very nice details and good job on exposure!

[Mark Young]

Beautiful image Bill, I love the tight composition.