Straigth down the barrel: Bee Eater

[Thanaboon Jearkjirm]

D700
300mm f/2.8G VR II with TC-20E III
600mm
ISO 800
f/7.1 at 1/800s
Manual mode
Matrix Metering
AF-C, Dynamic 9 points
Auto white balance
Tripod inside a blind

Cropped from 2832x4256 to 1489x2379

Curve for contrast, saturation up a bit, some background cleaning around the head with clone tools, NR and sharpen.

All comments and suggestions are welcome.

[Katie Rupp]

Fits the theme, that's for sure! I really like how the bg compliments the lovely bird colors; nice detail and exposure work. I might take a bit off the top.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Nice!! Great vertical comp to go with the elongated pose and good job on the techs. Beautiful BG and a good thin perch. I'd be tempted to level the eyes, and I would remove the extra OOF twigs in LRC if that is within your PP ethics.

[Robert Holguin]

Wow real nice stare! Love the background and perch. Great detail and composed well. Well done.

[Thanaboon Jearkjirm]

Re-post with eye leveling, tighter crop and branch in LRC removed.

[Sidharth Kodikal]

Lovely image! Terrific colors, nice dainty perch and perfect head-on stare.
I like the repost with the top cropped, but would retain some more at the bottom.
Superb details. Thanks for sharing.