I'm very impressed, Richie. I personally think it's pretty touch to get a close up shot of anything. That eye is mesmerizing. The colors are very natural and I see no noise. In fact, I'm very unhappy to report that I can't find a single thing to bitch about on your shot. The blurred, semi-solid background is terrific and really sets of the bird.
Richie, I saw a documentary two days ago where a pair of birds that looked like seagulls (don't know if hey survive in the Arctic) drove away a polar bear by dropping at high speed on the bear's head and pecking it at the same time because their newborns were in danger. The bear was bleeding and gave up the hunt. So you are not far off with 500 yards. Nice shot of the gull. Don't know if Stephen Segal will be pleased with the image.
So cool and outstanding Richie!!! Your details, focus and comp are truly amazing in this!! Did I ever tell you that I played cribbage with the real Steven Seagal? Well I did at a site on the web called Pogo. That was about 5 years ago, but it was cool! Even though I don't like him as an actor...lol
My thanks to all who leave comments for my work and to those of you who like one enough to make it a favourite. To touch just one person that way makes each image worthwhile. . . . . . . . . .. . . . "The question is not what you look at, but what you see" ~ Marcel Proust