Birds are chopped and color changes made with color tools.
step 2 of 7
New color changed birds are overlayed over original birds, then new color erased from beaks, eye area and legs in order to use original color of these areas.
step 3 of 7
Branch is formed from the basket by using liquify tool. Branch will be duplicated, then edges finished and burned to create shadows. One branch is flipped and rotated into upward position.
step 4 of 7
Now background photo is added (my own)
step 5 of 7
Background photo has been scaled to make layer behind birds and branches.
step 6 of 7
Horse Nebulae photo used for overlay textures.
step 7 of 7
Texture layer is added on top layer of image, reduced in opacity, then much of it erased with soft eraser tool so that edges are mostly left with the textures. Finally, edges of birds are softened with blur tool to help them blend into scene better.