Shikra

[Bibhav Behera]

Merry Christmas everyone... :)

This was shot just outside Salim Ali bird Sanctuary in Goa in the morning today. Could go out clicking after a hiatus due to work load.
I got this shikra near a crows nest. It was pretty well hidden and I could only get a couple of snaps from within the foliage. I ahve intentionally preferred to leave out the rest of the virtual body as it was adding clutter to the image. It was pretty close. Wish I had some space to move and reposition on the left.

This is a full frame image.

Canon EOS 1000D, Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM + 1.4x Extender.
SS 1/250 (-1/3 EC)
f/9
ISO 400

Comments and Critiques welcome.

[Sabyasachi Patra]

The eye is in focus. It is not always easy to get the focus right when you are shooting through foliage. Any wider composition?

Cheers,
Sabyasachi

[Mrudul Godbole]

Nice eye contact. Wish there was less space at the top. Thanks for sharing. Look forward to more.

[Bibhav Behera]

Sabyasachi, I don't have any wider ones :(
Mrudul, I preferred to include space at the top to accommodate the arched branch to frame the bird. :)
I'll try the composition you suggested and check again.

[Roopak Gangadharan]

Nice close up.The typical intense and mean look of the shikra is nicely captured....
TFS.
Roopak.G