Lynx Stare

Kudos on getting it sharp, given the setting and your awkward pose.  I like the wide-eyed stare through the trees.  Really a great moment captured here.

I do think a slight crop off the left may be warranted, eliminating that darker blank gap and placing the face in the left third.

Max

Hello Michael, ... Well captured, to get sharp focused through the entanglement.   The fore ground brightness is distracting and if toned down slightly would allow better Eye contact with the subject!

Thanks for sharing

Bill
www.BillBickle.com
 

This is one where the OOF FG sets up the reality of seeing these animals in a forest setting (not that I've ever seen one!) - secretive and hidden.  Great example of using the situation you wre presented with.   I agree with Max's crop suggestion.

Thank you Max, Bill and Pete for you kind words and taking the time to give me your input. Max, I agree with your crop suggestion, my thinking was leaving it there because it frames the face but artistically your idea is better. Bill, I like your thought to tone down the white as well. Pete, you are so right about the bush these cats like to roam in. I only know they are in the area because of the tracks in the snow. I would love to get some shots in the summer and fall but that would be very difficult to find an area where they might be. I did check the same area last spring but once the underbrush starts to bloom your visibility is almost non existent.

Exceptional, Michael! Just an outstanding frame. I love the use of OOF foreground elements. I probably agree with Max re losing the tree on the left but I do like the placement of the lynx here so it's a bit of a toss-up. Wonderful, natural image no matter what.

Great eye contact, Michael! The foreground snow and branches highlight the secretive nature of the cat.

Cheers,

Hisham.

Thank you John and Hisham.

Hi Michael,

Very compelling shot - the eyes just draw one in. I do agree with the previous compositional suggestions of others (as you seem to too!), but I would caution you against toning down the snow too much - it's very easy to make it go too grey and, let's face it, this is "animal of the north" and snow is an integral part of its full "niche". In fact, while the white does tend to draw one's eye, I think I prefer that the major OOF foreground element is snow (rather than just a green bough). One slightly unfortunate thing is how the "mottled" background breaks up the outline of the ear tufts (which are so cool!) making them a little less prominent than one might like.

Cheers...

Brad

Thank you Brad for your kind words and your input.