Yellow Wagtail.

Nikon D300
Nikon 500ml F4
I know the background is a bit messy

C&C please

Hi Keith,

Handsome looking chap!

I think this could have been a good shot, although the background is a tad on the messy side, the subject is bright, dominant and in focus enough to keep your eyes away from straying away from it.
Unfortunatley I think the biggest issue here is the obvious cloning in the bottom left hand side of the frame, where you've clearly "gone to town" with the heal/clone stamp tool! Not only can you see repeats in the stalks/leaves but the colour is mushy and misbalanced too.

I think this could easily be remedied by using careful selections, feathering and checking to make sure no signs of cloning are left over!

Cloning aside, Keith this is a very nice shot. the Bg could have been a bit more Oof but even as it is the bird is big and bold enough in the frame to hold the eye.
Cloning is not easy and takes an awful lot of practice to get right IMO. It might be worth having some more tries at this one, it looks like a good one to practice on.
Eric

I agree with Eric - it's a fabulous bird, beautifully sharp. perhaps the background could have been dealt with through layers and gradient fill? Whatever the result though - the bird is absolutely stunning.

I like it as it is.

Bertl

I personally think it is fine to show some background as long as the bird stands out from it - which it does here. I agree about the cloning, but otherwise a super shot.

David

Hi Keith

A little large in the frame, but what a fine specimen - nice one!

David

Thanks for looking and your comments,did rush the cloning a bit.

Thanks Keith.