You really have to see this one at full scale on your monitor. Click here to open in the viewer as wide as your monitor will allow.

I love the energy here, and the crisp detail of the spread wings. I think the energy is enhanced by the tight crop, though in this case it was a matter of necessity. This is the last shot in a sequence from the St. Augustine Alligator Rookery, and the bird leapt up so the top edge of the image as displayed is, in fact, the top edge of the frame. I find the shot graphically interesting as well, with the play of curves between the two birds in motion.

This is an earlier shot from the same sequence.

Also a strong shot with a lot of interest…less graphic…but with a more controlled energy. You have to love Egret wings! Full scale view is here.

Canon SX40HS. Program with iContrast and –1/3EV exposure compensation.  343mm equivalent field of view. f5 @ 1/1250th @ ISO 100.

Processed in Lightroom for intensity, clarity, and sharpness.