Background a distraction?

[GA from FLA]

I took this picture after a rainstorm in the late afternoon, which accounts for the weird intensity of the colors. I know that may like the look of a soft, blurry background, but sometimes I like to include the environment surrounding the bird. This photo works for me but I am wondering what others think...is the background too distracting?

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[ssheipel]

What background!? Seriously, the bird is so sharp and the contrast between the bluish black bird and green background is for me superb. I also like how the one plant's fronds' lines match the lines of the large flight feathers.

 

[Yezdi]

Your background is just fine and nothing wrong with the shot, as the bird still pops out due to its contrasting colours.

 

[JSD]

Yes, especially the big one going diagonally through his head. The rest could be manageable and is really quite beautiful. The blues and greens are wonderful. If that big one could go I think the rest could be tweaked with cropping, cloning, some sharpness adjustments, othe small adjustments. no doubt others will have better ways too.

 

[GA from FLA]

Thank you for your comments and suggestions.

 

[Gongster]

I would leave it just as it is.

 

[will139]

I wouldn't touch it. Looks great.

 

[DRwyoming]

The background isn't ideal but I don't think it's a huge distraction in this image. The bird is colorful enough and sharp enough to draw in the viewer. You might try a 4x5 aspect ratio crop to lose some of the background above the bird and show more of a classical portrait view. And a bit of vignette to darken the brighter edges wouldn't hurt.