The hustler
by Abra

Comment by Oz:
Interesting subject and composition. The highlights seem a bit dim to me and I feel it could use a touch more contrast. Anyways nice catch

Watcher
by Abra

Comment by Melethia:
Exceptional detail and that's very hard to do with a black bird and not blow everything else - kudos!! This is really well done.

Morning swim
by Abra

Comment by bassbone:
i love the intense orange and the high contrast - you did an excellent job to avoid blowing out the feathers, yet allowing them to be fully white and bright

Morning swim
by Abra

Comment by sfalice:
Amazing what Ma Nature comes up with for fancy dress.
Loe the definition of the bird's feathers and good
contrast with the water. As with Harvey's comment,
if there is more water to the right, give the critter
just a little more water too swim into if you can.

Not standing the test of time
by Abra

Comment by whiterook:
Just like a Bridge but it will keep the world clean!!!!

Insignificant self
by Abra

Comment by LoVi:
do you REALLLLLLY think so? 10

On a Wing and a Prayer
by Abra

Comment by HarveyG:
Yes, unusual non traditional compo. Perhaps some masking and denoise on the BG would have given the subject more punch. Still a good story telling shot. The statue praying that it might take flight and the bird lending angelic shoulder support :)

Synchronised
by Abra

Comment by HarveyG:
At least your honest. We've all done that at least once in our lives. I have. It has however had the nett result that I now make more effort to be in the right place at the right time, and if I can't get the shot then so be it.

The vignette is not noticeable, barring maybe bottom right as all the other corners were dark anyway. Nice duo-tones and silhouette all the same!

Re the dropping of your score minutes before roll-over. It happens all the time but mostly on free studies. I think a lot of voters look at their 5.9 or whu, and then hastily drop all their given 6 votes to 5 votes in the hope that they may gain a few positions on the ladder. Stinks I agree and where you thought you might just squeeze out that 6, you end up with a 5.9355!

Us wildlife (and bird nuts) should stick together and add +1 to all those wild/nature images to counteract them :)

Morning flight
by Abra

Comment by HarveyG:
As a work in progress (your slow s/s BiF work) this is very enjoyable. Great POV and good technique.
The uniformity of the black parallel lines to mid right of image did detract from the flow and bob, the purpose or your intent when taking the shot.

Morning swim
by Abra

Comment by HarveyG:
Of course I love birds so I'm immediately drawn to this image. Great EV. Not totally blowing the whites with lots of feather definition. The orange foot and orange beak balance the shot. All too often that foot is missing. This is natural selective desaturation :) Love the crown! Well focused. I'd opt for a bit more space to his right if it's there in the original.