two photos need help with

I was in Springfiled Mo this weekend, found that the local lake does not freeze as warm water is pumped into from nearby powerplant. this made for some great backdrop's, well for a better photographer then I anyway.
I got a few photos I would like the powers that be to pour over and make suggestions and comments about. I wish to learn as much as possible from anyone that want's to give thier two cents worth and I have very thick skin to those that may say these are crap, but please back up your thoughts so i would know why they are crap is all that i ask.
I am a newbie photographer and i just got this 7D and retired my XTI. someday i wish that i would just bring the XTI and leave the 7 at home as I don't have all it's functions down well yet....anyway
here you go.
Joe

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Not feeling the first one as much as the second.
The second one has a nice mystical look to it, would be better without the trunk in the frame on the bottom right.

Thanks for the input. the 1st one is pretty bland but pelicans are rare to the area and to have snow and steam from the water was neat to me, but agreeg outside of that it's not dramatic.

So you think i should crop out the stump then with the second? will i loose to much off the bottom if I do that? I will crop one later and check but I see what you are saying about the stump as the images run's to the left and is suddenly stopped at the stump!

thanks for the thoughts.
Joe

Would love to see a larger version of #2. @ 1/8000 sec. the wing detail must be great.

oldno7 wrote in post #9374909
Would love to see a larger version of #2. @ 1/8000 sec. the wing detail must be great.

The water drops coming off thier wings was awesome!
I will see about uploading a larger image. Edit to add.. does anyone know how to embed from fliker? I used to embed from that site but just saw the "new" format has changed and the embed link is missing where it once was, do i need a "pro" account?
thanks ( man I am needey)
Joe

I like the feel of the first one, I do wish the pelicans were just a little sharper, with the steam/fog in the background it gives it a mystical feel. The second one I like as well although the branch at the bottom is a bit distracting. If you turn image editing on, someone may be able to help with cloning that out. Welcome to POTN. Looking forward to seeing more of your shots.