This gull is still alive

[Jack Breakfast]

I didn't shoot this r.b. gull with a gun and then shoot him with a camera, I swear it...one of my friends, caught mid-maneuver...taken the other day with the Canon 7D and 70-300L at 300mm, 1/2500, f6.3, iso400. Cropped and u.s.m.
I'll welcome your input RE composition and other things too. As I'm a great fan of square pictures, I figure this one will wind up as such, but I figured I'd leave it open for now. I'll sincerely appreciate your comments...

[Thanaboon Jearkjirm]

Very interesting flight pose with good sharpness and details, especially in the whites. As for composition I might prefer a bit more room to the right as to emphasis that the bird is still flying and not falling off from the sky. The current crop does look like it is flying, but I think more room will add to that more.

[Doug Brown]

I like the pose and the subtle water droplets. I'd place the bird slightly lower in the frame. I'm not normally a fan of square crops, but I think it'd work better than the crop you opted for.

[Jack Breakfast]

good stuff...too many ways to go compositionally with a bird shot and open space...Thanaboon, you make a most interesting point RE bird flying/bird falling...

[Alan Murphy]

Excellent timing Jack.

[gail bisson]

Very cool flying pose! I think I would go with a square crop. Nice and sharp,
Gail

[Andrew Merwin]

Its neat that you can see both the top & the bottom of the wings. Was the gull drunk? Did it get a FUI (flying under the influence) ticket? Great timing. Its sharp & I agree with some of the above comments re. the crop. TFS.

[Mark Young]

I like how you've got this just at the right time with the birds head upside down.

[Jack Breakfast]

Thanks folks, very much...Gail, I love that you like square crops too...

[gail bisson]

Thanks folks, very much...Gail, I love that you like square crops too...

We are definitely in the minority!!

[laurie golden]

Jack,

You always come up with the unusual. This is great. Some photos do call for a square crop and this may be one of them. I might put the bird a little on the right side because it looks like he about to do a flip.

[RakeshDhareshwar]

Great timing and very unusual pose you caight here . Lovely details and nice colours .

[dankearl]

A very cool and very unique photo.
Well done.

[arash_hazeghi]

great dynamic pose and behavioral shot. good details. I would reduce the red cast on the blacks.

[Jack Breakfast]

Many thanks for your kind words of praise and helpful suggestions, folks!

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Jack, no need to apologise, just being in the right place at the right time, as well as perfect timing to capture this very unusual pose. The gull looks like he's fallen asleep and is falling through the air. Comp wise, I would try a traditional horizontal comp, with the gull placed centrally, and in the lower thirds.

[Jack Breakfast]

Thanks Stuart...I'll certainly try that...much appreciated...