The pose of the squirrel is super and so is the placement of the flower - if that really is where the squirrel is going. The curves and details of the bench also adds a lot to the shot. However, the flower is a little to dominating, in my opinion - because of all the branches, some of which is cut rather abruptly by the frame. I would try a vertical with the left side a little to the left of the stem of the flower and the right side a little to right of the squirrels finger on the bench (and nothing cropped out at top or bottom).

I like!

'll probably still try for something I should.not, I usually like to push the envelope:).>>

Nothing at all wrong with that as long as you know you are doing it and learn/understand why it did or didn't work:-)

You being so truthful is greatly appreciated.. What you are saying is correct it's just something I should have more confidence to know for myself. .Sometimes I feel more confident about the whys and wherefors than others. This is certainly one of those days. I wouldn't have put the shot up if all I expect is praise for a wonderful capture. Although "good job" is always appreciated it's more important when I don't get what I am going for to Understand why for the next time. (which I'll probably still try for something I should.not, I usually like to push the envelope:).

Gail,

the slightly soft face eye isn't anything more than 1/100 shutter not freezing motion, the sq was in motion, that in no way diminishes your talent with high ISO shots. The BG is clean and the exposure is very well done..Is the shot to far away? I don't see that as an issue at all. You went for a a shot w/o the shutter speed you probably needed, but didn't have the light for, it came out pretty well AND just one blink is the difference from the head being sharp and not being sharp. Squirrels are twitchy and whenever you take a shot of one with less than optimal shutter speed you take the chance of not just having motion blur, like with the tail which is quite nice, but softness in another area you didn't want. Just goes with the territory, been there done that.

I like the expression here. Good job!

it's sharp enough for me, especially considering the 'action'. but you do know how blind i am? perhaps clone the right stem?

Thusie, thanks for insight, however, how can a be good at high iso's if the subject isn't sharp. I have been thinking a lot lately at what I have actually learned. Learned loads but it seems I haven't put it in to practice. Case and point being this shot. I could tell it was to far away but I went for it anyway then I had the nerve to to pp and put it up here. I really need to rethink what I am doing. Cute scene isn't really enough if the subject is crisp. I appreciate your honesty it helps give me confirmation of what I was feeling but didn't want to see. Maybe I to need to go back to the begining. Get a fresh start.

Thanks all.

oof, if I could just reach a little bit higher . . . .
(-Andrea)

You do a really nice job with the high ISO shots, really nice scene and BG. Little bit soft on the face/eye but to be expected with 1/100 shutter speed:-) For some reason I feel like it needs cropped, not sure why tho'. Ok now I know my eye keeps going to the DL stems.