BTBE

Gorgeous colors and I really like the background -- minor nit -- I would clone the bit of a branch in the upper right side

Nice pose. The calling action shows better in the larger version. The detail looks fine. I might debate about cropping or cloning the one twig on the right edge of the frame. If you have Viveza, I do think I would throw on some control points and darken the BG and lighten the Bee Eater. The tones are so close that I think that would help it to separate better. Nice capture.

Thank you Scott and Rick.

Re-posted the updated larger image file on the original posting.
http://natureshues.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/btbe111.jpg

John,
What a beautiful bird. Wish we had these here in California. The colors are amazing. Great head turn and caught with the beak open. Superb! I agree with Scott about cloning the small bit of branch just sticking into the frame on the right side. I would also crop slightly off the right side and add just a little bit more canvas to the left side so it's not quite so centered although I do like the lines. Rick also makes a good point of making the background slightly darker and the bird slightly lighter. Not much though. Superb image John. Would love to have a seen a larger version. You can post up to 1200 pixels on the long side in addition to the smaller image. Thanks for sharing this one John. Super!

Thank you David, the larger image is posted in a link:

Larger image

http://natureshues.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/btbe111.jpg

I happen to like the original post as is with the more subtle color scheme. The open beak really adds to the image, nice job in getting this difficult shot.

Sweet shot! Beautiful bird w/ a great BG and perch. My only suggestion would be to add a little room on the left if you have it where the end of the branch comes very close to forming a tangent with edge of the frame. Just a small thing but I think it would look better.

Thank you Robert.

Great pose and perch, John. The bird looks just a bit soft in the larger image you reference-like the focal point was on the feet/perch. At f11, I'm a bit surprised there's not more dof to play with.

Thank you Dennis.