That's a really magnificant animal - nice captures. I like #2 the best; I like the composition and the color of the "eyes" is a little more subdued than in the first.
Nice work Joanne and what a great subject. I agree with Nick on #2. This is a great perspective and #3 is a good fun shot, but not really sharp and I think this would have benefited from a balanced crop and, maybe a portrait style framing.
I do like the idea of #1but I would have preferred it was taken from the other side of the bird. In that way the bird would be looking into the frame and not out of it. But with animals you can only get what you can and you have done very job here.
Pete or John: I tried the cropping and sharpening in iPhoto for the tail end after reading your post. It did make it more interesting but (butt?) the white tail feathers are still so overexposed I decided not to post it. However, don't think I don't appreciate the feedback because I love it. I am so new to this that I want to hear it all.
Oh, Pete! I LOVE that! Thank you so much for sharing it.
That is one lucky capture, Joanne.