L.B. Heron & Repost

I too like all the things you mentioned, Dennis.  Good detail in the feathers, too.  Even though the white wings are in deep shadow, we can still see the characteristic black wing tips.  The dark background does have a little non-black detail showing, and I like that.  However, so much pure black seems overwhelming to me.  The composition looks fine, and I bet that it would appeal to the "artsy" viewers. I guess I am just used to seeing water and plants in the environment, so the large, pure black area makes me feel kind of uncomfortable.  Hard to explain, because  I do see the beauty in this stark image.  Maybe I am just in the mood for a "happier" image that makes me smile, with evidence of plants and water showing, instead of blackness.  But you have to realize that I have commented many times before (usually in the Flora Gallery) that I am usually not fond of the black backgrounds that most people strive to get in their pictures, so don't take my quirky taste too seriously.  I am sure that if you were to bring out some out-of-focus color in the background, everyone else would say they would like it better if it were all black!  ;^)

Thanks, Wayne.  I tried pulling the bg up a bit, but if I go very far that lighter vertical bar that crosses the beak becomes much too prominent.  This is about as far as I could go.  It does start to bring out a hint of green, but it's most decidedly not a cheerful spring image. 

Clicking on the image will give you a 1200 pixel version.

 

Thanks Dennis, I like the repost better, but I would not be surprised if others like the original post. 
"It's not you; It's me"  ;^)

Well seen and photographed, Dennis. The black background certainly keeps your attention on the bird. I'm good with either version; the bird is so bright in comparison to the background that I don't think the subtle background differences matter that much.

Nice work on this one Dennis. I am personally fine with the black BG.