For my 2 cents' worth:
1) I'd like to see the horizon further from the middle of the frame.
2) I'm not sure what you're showing/telling me-- there's not a real focal point to grab my attention. If you're going back to shoot more, I'd suggest getting closer to the stone wall to get detail, if that's possible, and get it as more of a diagonal leading into the shot. As it is, the wooden gate blocks it from doing that.
3) In the 2nd, the diagonals of the gate lead to a dead end. Can you shoot it from a different angle?
4) A different time of day might bring out details that are now in the shadows, and give you more appealing light.

I'm far from an expert, and others may disagree with my points-- just some of my ideas. I'd love to be able to be there-- it looks like a fascinating place!

It was my Canon 20D (the 40D had just died while shooting, and I was glad I'd taken a backup with me) and the Canon EF300mm f/4 IS with 1.4x extender. I've been very pleased with the sharpness and autofocus of that lens.

A car makes a great blind, as long as you can get far enough off the road to be safe.

We're very lucky in MN-- the eagles come up the Mississippi in early spring, and cluster where the open water begins. There are many that don't seem too bothered by humans, and I've been able to get reasonably close. These were shot with a 300mm plus 1.4 extender.

One thing I'd recommend working on is something I'm not always good at, either: background. In the first two shots especially, it detracts from the little cutie. I try to look all around the frame before I press the shutter button, but often I'm so enamored with the foreground and the subject that I forget to. Fortunately, you'll have lots of opportunities with this little guy!

I agree, Bobber-- this looks like a grass. Which one I really can't say, but it is very attractive (much more so than ragweed seed heads).

I find the subject intriguing-- I'd love to spend some time there in different lighting conditions, and just walk around, trespassing to my heart's content and hoping the dog is long-gone. Close-ups, different angles could be interesting, and there may be some truly good perspectives just out of sight from the road/front/right-of-way. Then comes the question-- how much trespassing can you get away with.

I can certainly see what you found compelling. It's now a question of how best to capture that feeling.

One more vote for #2-- and can I give you another point by voting loudly against #3? When shooting nature, keep it NATURAL!!! (IMHO, of course).

[I've never seen ice spikes like that - great pics![/quote]

Thank you-- I've never seen anything like them, either! It must have been just the right mix of humidity and temperature. All I know is that there was stunning beauty everywhere I looked-- who would have thought a chain link fence could be so striking?

This week I saw hoarfrost more dramatic than I've ever seen-- I had no idea the crystals could grow to 1/2 inch!

Maybe I'm expecting too much from my equipment. I'm trying to get usable images of ducks on a lake that are about 800 to 900 feet away.

Yes, you are (expecting too much). The blind is the best idea, and LOTS of patience! I had unrealistic expectations, too, when I first got my 500mm, and it took me awhile to learn that even big lenses are limited. Try shooting birds in your back yard with the 300 to see what it can do. Then get the blind, a big cup of coffee, and a comfy chair. And wait.

As you scout, think about what you will do if it's raining. "Raindrops on roses..." may not be an option, but rain can create vivid color, sometimes a misty appearance-- and droplets in interesting patterns. I have no idea what the judges would think of it, but I love taking photos through a rainy windshield. Colors and shapes blur and shift, and offer something most of your competition probably won't be producing. But with a little luck, it will be a sunny day with wonderful early and late light. Good luck!

It begs to illustrate a poem! If I can find (or write???) one, I'll send it. It is a truly lovely photo.

I do want the opportunity to take some eagle pix, really really![/quote]

Whereabouts in Iowa do you live? The Mississippi River is a great place to see eagles, and they should be moving north soon-- usually hit southern MN in late Feb-early March. Check www.nationaleaglecenter.org for updates.

This little fellow is a Red-bellied Woodpecker, though the name seems a bit of a misnomer. However, I guess red-headed was already taken (and very appropriate to the bird it applies to).

Beautiful job with both of them! To my way of thinking, nature's wonders like the titmouse do not improve with post-processing. The color is correct, and to change it to something unnatural in the name of "creativity" doesn't make it better, just garish. No additional work needed (IMHO)!