I disagree on the distraction bit for this reason...When you're in the woods, on a trail suddenly you catch this view, you don't get distracted by the fern, your focus is directly on the bird. Freeze the moment however and the fern becomes a distraction. For me it separates me from him in the shot, it defines the space between us. Anyone who knows this bird knows it loves the underbrush and is seldom seen in the open, for me this captures that. There is also a chance I maybe totally wrong
nice catch... towhees can be quite elusive. a bit brighter would really help... with good light, these little fellas really "pop"... especially their eyes.