I definitely like the branch. Far from being a distraction, to me it's a major compositional element that really makes this photo work. Is this in the Monterey-Carmel area?
Your compliment is greatly appreciated! I have never used fill flash in landscape shots, but you're right, it would have been nice to get a bit more detail in the tree trunks. On the other hand, the trunks are quite dark naturally. But some texture would have been nice ... :>)
As for removing the large limb in the upper right-hand part of the image, here are two considerations: (1) I feel that the limb and the tree trunk on the left add a visual tension to the image by creating a cone within which the main attraction of the photo (i.e. the cypress trees) is placed; removing it would make the composition more static, I think. (2) I've got a problem removing that large an element from a composition. I've removed offending branches, telephone wires, etc., but somehow this limb is too big for me to consider removing it. I guess that for something like this I would prefer to take care of it at the time I take the picture, by appropriate framing.
This is a great shot. The only thing I can think that would enhance it would be to clone out the tree limb to the right. I find it rather distracting. Colors and clarity are good also. I'm also wondering if some fill flash would have worked to give some details to the cyprus tree trunks?
0 
