Brant Coming in for a Landing

[Paul Guris]

I like this crop because you can see the bird's shadow on the grass where it will be landing. On the flip side, I'm wondering if it would have more impact if I minimize or even eliminated the grass. C&C welcome

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 300mm f/4D IF-ED + TC-14E II
ISO 400, f/5.6, 1/1250, 0EV, 420mm (630mm equivalent)
Cloned out another Brant's head on the left

[Dawn Currie]

Very nice capture. Until I read your description, I hadn't noticed the shadow. It does look a little blue on my monitor.

[Tom Redd]

Good capture, I would vote to leave some grass as you have done here. The shadow does not bother me. I might have liked a different aspect on the crop if possible (a bit more canvas on the right edge), this one is a bit close to square and for me. Nice and sharp.

[Kerry Perkins]

Hi Paul, I really like the landing pose with the wings all the way back like that. I think the grass is fine as it helps to tell the story. I also feel that more image on the right would make a stronger image by giving the bird some space to fly into. Good job of controlling the whites in the bright sunlight. I think a bit more saturation would look good. I am not seeing any blue cast on my monitor.

[Lance Peters]

Hi Paul - some more space for the bird to land into would be good - also I would increase the sharpening on the bird a little - selectively of course - you can coax a little more detail out of the wings with some sharpening.
Like the wing position and the pose - not seeing a blue cast on my screen - keep em coming :)

[Paul Guris]

Here's a re-post with more on the right and a bit more sharpening. Thanks for the comments and suggestions.