[Freeman]

Glad you like them, Phil. Did you notice I used a horizontal push in Lightroom on the first to show something more of the bird on the left?

Yes, of course, views differ on vignettes. Vive la difference! It often happens with birds and wildlife generally that the background is rubbish - often literally! A little vignette covers a multitude of sins sometimes as well as guiding the eye to the key points. That said: a) I have only entered one club open competition just a few weeks ago (1= to my surprise 20/20 by external judge) which was a wildlife composition with white vignette; but b) in a wildlife photography competition rather than a club open, they are looking for minimal editing and c) in competition you need to aim for behavioural activity in the picture - as in the blue footed booby with his foot raised for the stomping dance - at least generally. I tend to present a picture according to its intended use. Even so....I plan to use one of these shots for an upcoming wildlife competition (or another in the series) so I may just............

By the way, Happy New Year!

Jeff