Hi Keith. I am new here, so this is a first discussion or comment. I live in South Africa and we spend a lot of time travelling in and around sub-Saharan Africa. I am spoilt for choice in that any game drive can yield bird or animal photo opportunities.
I hear what you say about varying the way you capture an image, and would like to add a comment or two if I may please.
Unless the particular subject is a “lifer” (aka: First view) and worthy of what I term a “Portrait shot”, my main objective is to capture some kind of movement or activity which certainly presents it’s own set of challenges.
When teaching I always advocate the importance of an image having a story to tell. The way you capture the story is the way you choose to photograph the scene. Does the story tell about a relationship between subjects, or a relationship to the surroundings?
The point I make is, if the photographer sees a scene / opportunity in front of them, try to think what story is happening, and how you would like to tell some absent person about your experience. I find that provides the author with the plan of what and how the final image will look.
It also helps to guide the photographer to decide what settings to use… Shallow or deeper DOF.
When composing the image, it is key to remember that our subconscious mind “sees” the main subject of the image as being that which is pin sharp. The supporting, but equally important story will then be slightly softer… (This is the importance of Bokeh…Or the soft part of the image which surrounds the main subject)
By creating that contrast between pin sharp and soft, also serves to give that image more “pop”.
Once the photographer starts thinking about the ultimate story, not only does the importance of composition become significant, but so too, the focus area also becomes equally significant, and yet more elements with which the photographer has to contend.
The more aware we are about the final story we are out to achieve, the better the final result.
*I will leave the discussion about “Composition of an image” to a totally separate time, as it is very wide and rather detailed. If anyone is interested, I am happy to submit an article which I wrote on “The composition of an image” 
