Common Buzzard

Something seemed to have gone awry in the post processing. I saw the post with you asking for help in getting the size right, so perhaps that is the cause of it but on the smaller image the URC looks heavily pixelated, and on the larger version the background looks quite odd and there is a noticeable halo around the top of the bird.

Those issues aside, I like the inquisitive look, the lichens and mosses growing on the perch and the colors.

I see the artifacts Luke is referring to as well. The smaller view is less affected it seems. I would look at cropping some off the top for a more horizontal format. Looks like there is a twig or something in front of the bird causing a vertical white bar. If you could have moved to the right when shooting this maybe this could have been avoided? That's a very interesting old fence post with tons of character.

Ron,

I'm noticing the artifacts & issues noted by Luke & Gary.

I like the pose, the great fence post and the light in the bird's eyes.

I hope you will be able to repost this without the aforementioned issues, it looks like a fine image.

I see buzzards regularly, but can't get a decent shot - they're off as soon as you open the car window. Those settings pretty much sum up the conditions we've had here in Scotland recently (hope you escaped the floods), so I would be more than happy to have taken this. With regard to the processing, I wonder if you might darken it a tad and perhaps give it a bit more contrast? Do you convert to sRGB before posting? - that can make a huge difference.

I agree with the previous comments regarding the issues with this image Ron. That said, the bird itself looks quite good to my eye and I agree with Gary that the post perch is loaded with character.

Thanks guys for your comments

The picture was taken at the end of the day when the light had all but gone. I have to say I don't like the background myself.

I will take onboard what has been said and see if I can get it better