Repost..Touching Down

Great action shot. Well captured.

Super shot, David! Well timed and executed. Quite good detail for a 70% crop, and excellent control of shadows and highlights.

Classic image, Dave! The expression on the eagle's face and his spread, razor-sharp talons add a lot of power to this, as does the strong graphic feel. Feather detail looks fabulous.

I do have two thoughts for you to consider as possible areas for improvement on an already-great image.

First, I'd be curious what this would look like with a different crop/comp. Specifically I'm wondering if there's a way to show the end of the branch (left) with a little blue margin without introducing other distracting elements...I feel this would be stronger if both ends of the branch didn't run out of the frame. I'm also curious about showing the main trunk on the right...maybe simply backing out a little with your crop and switching to a vertical 4X5 format? All this being said, I'm pretty sure you chose this presentation for very good reasons.

Second, the eagle is MUCH sharper than any part of the branch he is landing on. I'm guessing you used selective sharpening on the eagle, which certainly is a standard approach, but in this case, for me, it creates a distracting or at least less-than-perfect result. I find myself wanting the gorgeous weathered features of the dead branch to share the exquisite sharpness of the eagle...which you have somehow managed to nearly achieve from wingtip to wingtip making the lack of sharpness on the branch even more perplexing. I know our eyes are drawn to sharpness and having the subject the sharpest part of the image is good fundamentals, but I really think this will be stronger if you run similar sharpening on the branch. (Note that this "issue" is much more noticeable on the smaller image.)

I still can't get over the great look you captured here. Excellent timing and strong graphical feel.

Thanks all for the comments, John you have a good eye..ok I reworked the image and sharpened the branches. The branch to the right is very tall, so I cloned it back so it does not run out off the edge, it actually extends all the way to the top of the original.I also cloned out the two white spots on the leg.
I do see what you mean, showing more of the branches enhances the posture of him landing..Thanks!!

the second version is huge improvement

SO TOTALLY AWESOME!!! I love it! The repost is better also.

I do like the repost better. Really great shot.

Very dynamic pose and nice exposure. TFS.

This is a terrific shot David. I like them both, the first for impact and the repost for aesthetics. Very well done. Chet

Thanks everyone for the comments....