And did the camera fall apart, explode, perhaps even deliver the image Will???? Well going to 6400 would not have made much more difference Will and you could have added a tad more DoF, or SS if you wanted, but hopefully you will now feel more confident after all these years to just pushed things its a 1DXMK2!!!!I think this is my first post at ISO 4000
Overall you did very well and that prop is in line for Royalties I think, but it adds character to the shot. Good detail and I like the angle pose and that you can see the whole subject, including the feet, and shot wide open worked. You picked a nice clean BKG so the image has nothing to fight against and so you see the subject in a good environment. Personally I feel overalll the image is a little thin, everything is a bit light, this is where in the Winter months Will you should explore Curves & Lumo masks, as that perch is awesome once you build on layers and masks and the lichen really bring home far more character. The subject is good, but again I feel just needs a little more tone to add some depth, but not as much as the perch. The whole capture then takes on a greater presence and impact. These are subtle tweaks. but quite powerful in what they do Will, but your images will then elevate far more and go to where they should be by now.
Saying that, the overall flat, soft light is nice, it won't give you Saturation nor does it need added Contrast, but just a few more layers of adjustments IMHO.
TFS
Steve