I think I see what you are referring to in the background; though not really bothersome to me. However, these are the kind of things that often drive photographers to masking when doing sharpening.
This is a great example of where the title is needed to define the artist's intent (btw I argue with the president of our photo club on this all the time). If all you want to show is a snacking squirrel, then you lighten the animal and darken the background. But this photo - snacking in the shade - needs what is shown.
I really, really like this...maybe the hawk was a more difficult shot, but, for me, artistically, this is exceptional for me. The light and dark....Traveller
