Curlew

I was up early this morning armed with my new lens (400mm f5.6), I am glad I did even though I lost all feelings in my hands This was my favourite shot of today, I had completely the wrong settings so it isn't perfectly sharp. Any c&c is appreciated.

Canon 350d + 400mm F5.6
1/320s f/7.1 ISO400

http://sussexbirdphotography.blogspot.com/

I think I would crop to a vertical, so as to increase the emphasis onto the Curlew.

Still a very nice shot, showing the curlew superbly in its habitat.

That's a nice shot. Just to show that we are all looking for something different, I would crop from the top and the left so that it is swirling into the shot from the top left. A matter of choice entirely.
Eric

A nice shot as is. It shows off the birds enviroment well & a good flight shot too. I would have a play & try the different crops suggested by Eric & Ray to see what you get.
good luck with the new lens

Lee

Including the environment has meant that the bird does not have to be large in the frame. I tend to agree with Eric's crop.

Tony

Thanks for the comments, I have had a play with photoshop and I prefer it showing the environment, to be honest I find frame filling bird pictures a bit boring.

thanks.

The bird in it's enviroment works well but always looks better IMO with the bird not quite so cetral in the frame.