I really like this shot, I don't usually like bussy BGs but in this case I don't mind it as the comp and light are both so nice, the bird is there easy to find but as part of an enviroment. I would only try to copy the catchlight from the eye of the left to the other one but that is preety much it to me. Congratulaitons!
I'm with Ramone here, I really don't mind all the branches...except for one (the OOF vertical one between the owl and the edge of the frame). Good composition too.
Thanks Ramon and Daniel. I was afraid that the BG was too busy but a photographer friend of mine disagreed. I was looking for additional opinions. Not sure what I can do with the OOF vertical branch. Maybe I can burn it a bit to see if I can make it a little less visible.
IMO don't touch anything, that branch might be a little distracting, yes, but there are some many little branches that bluring it or trying to make it go sound like a bad idea to me, in the end it is not really THAT bad. Congrats again.