Not sure why the eye looks a little softer, to be honest I never noticed.
These were taken just after 2:00pm with the sunlight shining through a small clearing in the woods.
As for Focusing, I was stood about ten feet away, behind a tree, from where the seed was on the log. I rested the lens against the tree for support and focused on the log so the auto-focus didn't have to re-adjust too much when the birds landed and waited for the birds to land. Also the Canon 400mm L is a pretty quick lens when it comes to focusing so that helps too.
I did get excited when I clicked on the thread. Lol
But never the less, these shots are great Glen. Only 10 foot away??! Must of been in camouflage! Lol