Flapping just for the fun of it - Trumpeter Swan

[Randy Stout]

This adult trumpeter swan was imaged this past spring at the local bird sanctuary. Sometimes it really does seem like they flap just for the pure fun of it.
I like the feather floating off behind, the head and neck clear of the wings and the feather details.

D300 600mm f/4 f/7.1 1/2500s ISO 640 Gitzo/Wimberley

Post: CS5, selective sharpening, canvas added to top (top of frame almost touching head) , crop from left for comp

Rather squarish crop, but thought it fit this pose well. Rotated him CCW, but with the wave, a little hard to judge exact level

Advice and comments always appreciated.

Cheers

Randy

[Doug Brown]

Love the pose and sharpness Randy. Maybe a little tight up top. I'd consider removing the specular highlight at the tip of the bill.

[Gary Esman]

Nice shot Randy. Like the water droplets on his/her belly, excellent exposure, curved wing tip adds a lot, nice shadow.

Gary.

[dankearl]

Great close up and detail, Randy.
I agree it could use more room at the top.

[Tom Rambaut]

I like this a lot - crop is an issue for me also. Real sense of action.

[Randy Stout]

Thanks guys.

It was so tight on the top before I worked on it, that my original post looked really roomy up there compared with the raw file.

However, I do think you were right. So, a little more room at top, and removed the specular highlight on end of bill.

Cheers

Randy

[Neil Nourse]

Nice shot Randy.
I do like the comp in the re-post better. If mine I think I would remove the dark speck on the belly as my eye keeps going back to it.

TFS Neil

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

I prefer the repost and think it is a tough crop almost as wide as it is tall. I almost would prefer vertical but might be too wide. It's really pretty and I love the flying water. On the fence about the feather because at first i wasn't sure if it was a mark or a feather since it is kinda small.

[Arno Ellmer]

I love this shot, Randy and the repost even better.The tight crop at the top did trouble me.The feather detail is great and the whites are handled very well.The square crop ,in this instance, works imo .

[Ken Watkins]

Randy,

Great "moment" captured here, the repost with more space helps greatly

[Dan Busby]

Either having fun or just plain old showing off. Either way nicely captured Randy. I like the more room at top. Personally I would loose the feather as it does not appear clear or dominant enough to make a statement. But a small issue. Interesting water.

[Robert Holguin]

Wonderful image. Love the pose, excellent timing, great exposure, and I really like the repost.
Very well done.

[Josh Clark]

Nice shot you have here Randy. I also like the repost better. Love the gigantic wing flap you captured here. I love the wing pose also during the moment of capture as you caught it on the downbeat.

[RakeshDhareshwar]

Prefer the repost !! This image a tutorial on perfect exposure !!

[Stu Bowie]

Randy, very well timed to capture this flap. Well exposed - great whites, sharp, and the rotation looks fine from here. I do like the droplets behind the swan, and your reposts looks even better.

[Riju Bhattacharya]

Lovely action there! I love the repost more...