Black-throated Sparrow

Taken in Sabino Canyon. I really liked that this desert bird perched on a Cholla cactus for me. I did clone out one stem of the cactus above the head.

What technical feedback would you like if any?

What artistic feedback would you like if any?

Any pertinent technical details:D500, 80-400 lens at 270, ISO 800, @f 14

You may only download this image to demonstrate post-processing techniques.

I love the cactus perch, Skip. Was this a very large crop? The image quality doesn’t seem to be up to your usual fine standards.

Not a large crop, I think, but more not having time to zoom to full 400mm and the high ISO. I might have oversharpened some also.

This looks like something went wrong in processing if this is not a bit crop.
Cool bird and Cactus, maybe try a re-do?

I do like the pose and the perch. Yeah the processing is a little off it seems. I’m wondering whether altering the white balance a bit might make it look a little better. Certainly would be worth trying some things.