Black-necked Stilts w/ repost

These are some of my favorite birds to photograph there. I think even a lower angle would make it more unique. Sometimes it's impossible to get low enough in some of the viewing areas. I think you did the best you could here. My only suggestion might be taking some off the right side or if you cropped from the left to bring back some of that end. The bird to the left seems too close to the edge of the frame for me. I'd love to see what other types of birds you were able to photograph here.

I have to agree with Peter that I would have liked to see more room on the left and a little less on the right, that being said there is a nice detail in the feathers and nice reflections, a very nice image.

I agree with the suggestions about the cropping. That said, you have captured a very pleasing image with the dynamics of the two birds. The ripples and reflections add to the image. Well done.

Hi Tonia... I like the interaction you've captured, with the one stilt looking on as the other dips the water. I think the crop suggestion is worth playing with and seeing how that works.

I happen to like this one better but just slightly, they are both good shots. Nice job getting both birds is focus. Interesting play of light with one bird showing some iridescent shine and the other not and one birds legs are slightly redder than the other. I also like the suggestion of the crop. Nice job in getting this, way to go.

Nice exposure and sharpness on both birds. I too would play a little with the crop here.

Thank you all so much for your suggestions. I am posting an un-cropped version so you can see what I had to work with (although it's a little centered for my tastes). Next time I'm working with water birds I will have to try to get down on their level. Thanks again for your help!

Rob-While I was there I managed to get some decent shots of a Great Egret, un-ID's hummers, and some mockingbirds.

With both birds, the center framing works because you have even space from each side. You could even try taking some off the top and bottom for more of a panoramic image. But the un-cropped version gives balance to the main subjects.

Tonia, I believe I'd crop in fairly equally from all sides, maintaining the same aspect ratio. with both the birds seemingly focused on the same point, I would place that point very close to the center of the image. nice work with the exposure, and I like the iridescence showing. the lower you get with these, the more the viewer will be transported into the image, rather than being outside, looking down on the subjects.

I like the shot Tonia. I played around with the comp of this image and I would crop up from the bottom to just under the left bird's head reflection and also take a bit off the top if this were mine.

I agree with the previous cropping suggestions. It is a nice shot but it just looks a little unbalanced. The birds, the poses and the relections are very attractive. They seem to be dressed for a formal occasion.