Great IQ on the bird, nice HA, nice BG. Looks like it was overcast or you were shooting into the shade, but it allowed you to control the white on the branch which is good. I suppose the branch could be a little less large and a little less white. Good job.
Lovely bird and pose, Michael. Nice colors and good exposure. It looks as though your focus was on the bird's leg b/c I am seeing more feather details there than I am on the bird's head. It's most important that your bird's head be in focus and let the rest fall where it does. I would also consider a different crop if you have more canvas on the original photo to try to keep the bird out of the very middle.
Is this a large crop or did you do any significant amount of noise reduction ?
Purple Finch indeed. Yes, I'd go for more room left and above if you have it. The perch does have a smooth NR'd look to it and wonder if there is a bit more texture in it originally. Excellent pose from your subject with a perfect head angle and great raspberry colours on it that go very well with the green BG.
Not sure what is considered large, this was, 20-30% and yes it had NR done to it and I desperately need to get a better filing system down so I can locate the originals! LOL I know my PP and cropping/workflow are not quite there and I do have a tendency to place things in the middle, or not quite a 1/3, but I am trying. ;)
I do "try" and keep the eye in focus, but these small birds are very skittish and hop around! LOL and I admit the focus may be a little off on this one as I have been playing around with different focusing point/types, full 61, then 9 point and center point, in Single Shot, Servo and Focus, trying them out and learning from them.
@ Daniel,
I knew there was a 50/50 chance I was wrong on the type of Finch it was, Thanks again, this is the 2nd time you have helped me, don't go far, I am sure I will guess/pick the wrong one again, at some point!! LOL
You may be right about more texture being there and I will check it out when I locate the original file.
I think when I masked it out and lowered it with the levels to make it less bright, it looked hot to me, and may have forgotten to sharpen it, also I have read that when you go switch the image to JPEG, you do sharpen, I have never done this in my workflow.
@ Ramon,
Thanks and yes, I more than likely missed it. ;) LOL