Stuck in the mud!

Cute little guy! John, I shoot with the D300S. I can hold ISO 400 for most shots in all but bad light, usually around f/6.3 or 7.1. I think you have done a good job of showing the bedraggled bird struggling against the mud. I see oversharpening especially in the larger image, but also in the small one, as evidenced by the halo around the beak. You might try backing off the sharpening on this—you probably have good enough focus to be gentler. It wouldn't hurt either if you selectively brightened the eye (along with upping the contrast). There is a catchlight hiding there that I think can be brought out without looking too weird. Worth a try.

I like the active pose, good stop action details John. I think the slight blur at the legs shows movement well..
Only suggestion would be to bring up that eye/face a tad if possible.

Hi John.
Don't mind the blur on the legs in fact it does show motion,as already mentioned there is a nice light in the eye that could be brought out without a lot of trouble.I do think it's a very good shot of the bird pulling against thay sticky mud

Keith.

Thank you guys for the excellent suggestions. After Phil's comments I reworked another copy. I have a bad habit sometimes of tending to rush through post processing and not sit back and critically examine the finished product. I lessened the sharpening and lightened the eye a little. I like the result but thinking perhaps the BG might need a little burning. What's everybody think? I really appreciate everyone taking the time to look and giving me their honest comments.