Editing Fun

I discovered this fun edit challenge while reading a post by Deanna at Snippets From Springdale. I love editing photos, so I was excited to find "Creative License Friday" over at "she who carries a camera". Each week a photo is posted and anyone is allowed to edit and post their version of the photo.

Here is the original photo.

Here is my version. 

I thought this bird would look lovely resting on a branch full of spring blossoms. I think it adds the perfect touch to my photo : )

 

After seeing the fun edit from thesmittenimage, I decided to stray from my first try and go a bit out of the box to add it to a photo of my own. Here is what I did to achieve this edit:
 

1. I uploaded both photos and reduced my photo by 50% because it was too large in comparison to the bird photo.

2. I layered the bird photo onto my photo and brushed out all of the background.

3. I then used ctrl+T to transform by enlarging and placing the bird where I wanted it.

4. I added the texture Comfort by RHWest at 75% on soft light.
5. I then ran it through the Topaz Simplify plug-in
     -Painting => Painting IV =>Finishing Touches => Transparency at 45% => Global Adjustment => Adjust => Dynamics at 125% => Structural Boost 125%

 

And that was that.