So happy to see this – these were coated in ice last week!
Hand held, manual focus, TV mode.
Other info:
Exposure: f/16 1/90s, ISO 200
Exposure Mode: Auto
Focal Length: 85.0 mm
Lens: EF-S17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
Flash: Did not fire, compulsory mode
Metering Mode: Spot
Subject Distance: 0.7m
Custom Rendered: Normal process
White Balance: Auto
Scene Capture Type: Standard
Model: Canon EOS40D
Camera Raw
White Balance: Custom
Temperature: 5125° K
Tint: +6
Recovery: 5
Blacks: 8
Brightness: +59
Contrast: +29
Scene from the Hill 
Nice shot. May I suggest a wider aperture for more background blur next time and more blue sky to really make the flowers “pop”.
Thanks for the suggestions! I appreciate them.
I think if I used a wider aperture, I would also need to get closer, and focus on just one cluster of blossoms, rather than the whole branch. Since the whole branch is not on a flat enough plane to make the depth of field appear equal along it’s length, I think only one set of flowers would be in focus, and the blur would be distracting along the rest of that branch that’s in front. (Yeah, that was a run-on sentence…)
What do you think/recommend?
You’re right. Try to find a lower branch and get closer. Aesthetically, prime numbers are best so try to frame with 3 or 5 buds in frame. Focus on one of them at say f4 and see how it goes. A little bokeh helps to direct attention.
Just my opinion, but give it some experimentation.
I appreciate the suggestions. It has rained here the past three days, so no more pretty blue skies, and now the blossoms have almost all fallen…but I will keep those tips in mind for whatever blooms next!