Pied-billed Grebe

[BAL Land]

From today, Orange County, California. Critiques appreciated.

Canon eos 70d with Sigma 150-600mm C, 1/800 at f/7.1, ISO 400. Handheld. Image downsized for posting.

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[Krümelkraft]

Maybe a bit overexposed and not leveled.
I think it should be rotated clockwise by 2 degrees or so. You can tell it by the (apparent) oval of the propagating wave around the bird. The imaginary axis through the oval should be horizontal.
I like that you didn't follow the trend of oversharpening.

 

[Duff Photographer]

I'd tone the highlights down a bit. In addition to lowering the slight over-exposure, it will give a bit more colour in the bird and water.

 

[coachjohn57]

I like the composition..I would bring down the highlights a bit and straighten the image as previously suggested. It’s a good image, it just needs the exposure to be brought down a bit.

 

[BAL Land]

Thanks everyone! How’s this?
Image downsized for posting.

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[BAL Land]

I think I overdid the rotation in the photo in my last post, so is this better?

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[dupcak]

I like the re-do much better! I'm not sure which one of the re-do's is more straight. I kinda thought that the first re-do was straighter but I'm awful at horizons in water situations like this.

 

[BAL Land]

I like the re-do much better! I'm not sure which one of the re-do's is more straight. I kinda thought that the first re-do was straighter but I'm awful at horizons in water situations like this.

Yeah, I’m having the same problem deciding which one is better. Thanks!