It looks like a horse tail to me from what is clearly a rather small horse....
While the twigs in the first image are a bit distracting and had I not seen the first the second seems a better photo without them.
My own personal view though is that I prefer natural looking backgrounds, things/views out of the norm and especially
views (one of Matthew Oates' PE
ab iole images with the ride in the background and some of Guy's shots that I've seen spring to mind - also some shots on the Red List that Pete posted were amazing!).
I suppose from a technical photo competition viewpoint only, the sans twigs shots are better but from capturing the butterfly in it's natural place I don't mind them. I'm never going to win a monthly competition am I....
Having said that, having been through a few and regularly voting in them I can appreciate what does make a good entry!
And I still like the moss.
Oh, and I'm yet to play with Photoshop - Elements 5 is going on my birthday list...
Cheers
Lee
To butterfly meadows, chalk downlands and leafy glades; to summers eternal.