American Avocet

[wendell westfall]

D90 70-200VR+2X@350 1/2000 f5.6 ISO400 0EV handheld

I caught this handsome guy looking up at me yesterday morning as I photo'ed him sweeping through the mud in the shallow marsh water.
All critiques appreciated . . .

Wendell

[Jonathan Ashton]

I like the shot and the pose, lovely colours and well focussed. I wonder however if it is a large crop? I can see a slight halo around most of the perimeter of the bird. If I am correct regards the crop I would make the bird smaller in the frame, in any event I think it is a tad large in the frame - but that is just my preference.

[Alan Murphy]

Sweet pose. Looks a bit oversaturated to me, and some more room for the virtual feet would help.

[wendell westfall]

Jonathan, yes, it is a 50% crop. I agree it should be smaller in the frame.

Alan, I see your point about the virtual feet, but I like the saturation -- breeding season is almost here, i believe.

[Robert Holguin]

Very nice shot. Real nice pose, exposed real well, I really like the flying mud, and I just love there breeding colors.
Well done.

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

Very good suggestion regarding the virtual feet and sat. I am also learning so it makes a lot of sense to me. I would suggest you to keep the 3:2 crop ratio, but that's of personal taste I know.