Hi Jon, this does show the beauty of ProCapture and being able to capture frames just before and after take-off and where you can cherry pick the best.
Overall I do like the take off pose, head cocked, wings outstretched and you do get that extra DoF with the OM, getting both perch and head I think sharp, what looks like a 3-4 inch window. I get the impression that the perch is slightly twisted with the top branch slightly angled away? Not sure if its the time of day or within PP, but personally I feel its a bit too contrasty in its overall appearance and so being able to back things off, just softens the overall look. Have you/did you, consider making the BKG a bit more 'buttery' and try to reduce the blotchy brighter parts? I can't help but wonder as this is a set up in the garden where you do have more control, but to have the same buff colour overall. The greens in the top RHS seem to be leaching into the subject and clashing if you get my drift. I'm not suggesting a single tone colour, but a similar colour for continuity and may offer more standout?????
The Lichen adds some nice texture in the scene, but wished the perch wasn't so battered and the large expanse of revealed stem is distracting and pretty ugly, think its time for another walk in the forest Jon. :bg3:
TFS
Steve