40D, Canon 100-400@400mm, 1/320 f 8.0, ISO 400

40D, Canon 100-400@400mm, 1/320 f 8.0, ISO 400
Hey Arsdel,
I think that you did pretty well here....but as usual, I would prefer a bit tighter crop mostly to eliminate the dark band on the top as it draws my eye. I think if you did a proportional crop off the top and left.....that would help a lot but let's see what others chime in. I do think you are pushing some of the whites on the face......could have been introduced in post processing......so just double check those and keep it in mind. What is that perch? Mot my favorite for sure as it looks man made but not horrible. I think you did very well and a few small tweaks will bring this up a notch or 2.
I actually like the crop as is and don't mind the dark band above. I could see it toned down a bit though (about half its current tonality perhaps). I agree about the whites that are pushing their limits as posted, especially near the cheek. Just a wee bit better HA would have been ideal. Sharpness and BG look great, very appealing colours. One of your better images Arsdel!!
I like the loose crop on such a small little bird. I agree with the above comments and also feel the image needs some CW rotation. I would love to photograph one of these Chickadees....
Very nice composition, detail, pose. I agree about the hot whites and would like a little the blacks to be darker and brighter.
Peter
A really nice portrait of an appealing subject Arsdel. Points already made regarding whites. Is it just me - I feel like the whole image is going to tip over. I wonder if about 5 or 6 points of CW rotation might be in order.

Thanks for the opinions. The perch is bamboo.
Very nice composition, detail, pose. VWD
TFS