Paul - when I look at the previous shot, with no Topaz sharpening, the details in the wing are just as sharp, or sharper than the nearby foliage. I might switch out the photos, as it is a better shot of the bird with the eye - but not as defiant a look, which I like.
Paul - re focus point. Yes, this is my 100-400. Hard to tell precise focus pt with this shot. This is a pretty significant crop, and sharpened with Topaz sharpen AI. I don't remember precisely where I was standing , but about 50 ft away. The calculated DOF is more or less a foot. This is a hand held shot, and he was only there for a few 10s of secs before he took off (next shot). Sharpen AI will get the foliage edges better than the smoother bird. That said, the camera/lens might do the same with contrast focusing.
Jim
Mr cardinal does not appear very happy with you taking his picture.
Is this your ef 100-400 lens? Maybe it’s just me but it seems to be missing the focus at least at 400 mm, I’m noticing the sharpest focus point in the foliage just behind the cardinal. Paul