I'm a fan of off-center compositions, so I prefer 2, 3 and 4 over 1. But it's a nice set in any case. I would put 2 in the middle.

I've lived in Western New York my whole life; how is it that I've never heard oc this place? Good photos

I think it's motion of the bird. The wing seems much sharper. It may be that focus missed and is at the wing/leg/branch

Great use of HDR in all of them. Generally a nice set and the old bridge makes a nice focal point, which landscapes often lack.
Specifics:
1. I'm not sure about the composition in the 1st. Initially, I thought that the bridge just peeking out was nice, but the more I look at it, the more distracting I find the foreground tree in the right.
2. Great leading line and contrasting tonalities. I like the texture and detail on the bridge.
3. Same comments as 2. This has the added appeal of the leading line not ending centered in the frame. This could be the best in a strong set.
4. I think cropping out some of the foreground shoreline and the right side may help. Right now it lacks a point of interest, or the point is too small in the frame.
5. The other contender for my top pick. The far stream bank and the train trestle divide the frame into thirds. The textures in the water are wonderful and I like how the trees and shrubs just reach up to the bridge. Too bad about the branch in the upper left. I might be tempted to clone it out.

Really well done.
Peter

The last one is a real winner. Simply stunning interplay of light and shadow.

Beautiful. HDR is often overused but it's perfect here.
I haven't been in the Basilica for many years but I pass it all the time. Do you have a shot facing up into the dome?

You were turning your (very dirty) CPL as you were pointing at the sky?

I have the Sigma 17-70 f2.8-4 and I quite like it. It's what I keep on the camera because it covers about 75% of my shooting needs.

What a lovely painterly photograph.

Sorry for the double post but it is just that good

What a lovely painterly photograph.

try dyxum.com. I used to be a regular there when I shot on alpha mount. If its the 70-210 f/4, also known as the "beercan", it's a decent lens with considerable chromatic aberration, very nice bokeh, and nearly indestructible construction. However it is not a true macro by any stretch, and it doesn't play well with close-up filters.

I've never seen skies so blue. Did you "cheat" in post or were they really like that?

I love Juncos. We have many of the darker slate ones here and they are such cheerful little birds. The only one I could do without is the one that builds a nest in my garage and poops on my car.

Is it saying something that the tallest is a smokestack instead of a church steeple? The triumph of industry over faith perhaps. Just being tongue in cheek.
Really good photo. Glad you saw and took the opportunity.

I gave myself the nikon 70-300 for Christmas. I bought it used from KEH for about $350. Quite happy with it. I was also considering the comparable Tamron. By all accounts the two are very close to equal withe the Tammy having better stabilization and lower cost, but the Nikon better sharpness at the long end and more reliable future compatability.
The Sigma was consistently rated lower than these two but it is considerably less expensive.
KEH still had both the Nikon and Tamron when I last checked.