Bolsa Chica- Brn Pelican taking off

I want to let those who chose not to visit Bolsa Chica during the reconstruction of the estuary, they missed out.
There is a lot going on, just look at the posts of Bolsa Chica regulars such as Vince Thomas, and Richard Mittleman, who I saw there. Some amazing images are being done there.
Last weekend, I stayed over for late light shooting and tried to sleep at the parking lot in my tent pod on the top of my Jeep. A bit later, a gentleman with a badge on his chest and gun on his hip informed me that overnight is not allowed there, so i moved on. That night, there was a flurry of activity with the terns and pelicans at the dam gate at the western area from the parking lot. I was able to capture some shots of them taking off. I really like the footprints in the water effect and in this shot, the foot full of traction in the water. Saturday night near sunset. There was no time to change lenses, so the wings are clipped. I have another shot with the wings gathered just before this and the bird is completely in the frame. Life happens. With the comments of soft, I have sharpened more. I was more impressed with the action captured than the sharpness. since I injured my eyes this year, I have had some problems with checking the sharpness of images on the monitor. Life happens.
20D
500IS + 1.4X plus 1.6 crop factor =1120mm equivalent
1/200 sec, f/9
Mode: Av
Metering: Evaluative
Exp comp: -2/3
ISO: 200