I see the birds bombed this cannon, maybe this shows nature will always win out in the end. The colors are very sharp here and make this a very nice photo
You make an excellent point, Vic. Hopefully the right people will be able to have a similar point of view when cooler heads are most needed.
As for the photo itself... Looks like the saturation is a bit high on the cannon, and that sky, which I'm guessing you "helped" because it was washed out, might've had a more natural/realistic feel with a lighter hand in post work.
Lastly, I'm wondering what lens you used, and if you were allowed to get any closer than you had. If so, perhaps a step or two closer with a wider angle (assuming your lens could accommodate this) would give you the same dramatic angle and composition, but without that pesky post on the lower right.
I'm here by way of a comment request. Hopefully these words will be well received.