Traditionally, back in the days of film, in the darkroom with your negative on the enlarger, you could "lighten" certain areas of your photo by "burning"; i.e. causing more exposure over just that one area. You could also darken certain areas by "dodging". i.e. covering the light with a small piece of paper or your hand in a circling motion to lessen the amount of light put to the paper (print medium).
In the digital darkroom today (i.e. Photoshop and/other software, you use brushes to lighten or darken problem areas.
In Lightroom, it's very easy to lift some shadows, eliminating a lot of need for "burning". However,
please note if any areas are blown out, (Total whiteout) there is no way to recover that loss. Total blow outs cannot be dodged in.
I hope this makes sense.
I've attached a photo for illustrative purposes only. The top photo has been "burned" using Ps to darken the too light spots on the back of the mantis. The lower photo is just a jpeg conversion with some sharpening of the RAW file in Lightroom.

haha!!! That's funny.

If you look around enough, you can still find Ps Elements. Sometimes you can even find the actual software. (not just a download) It definitely doesn't have "everything" that CS has, but it does support CR2 files with adobe camera RAW. Check at B&H.
https://bhphoto.com
I'm sorry about your health issues. I pray you heal/get well again.

This is a nice set of photos. I lived in Florida for a short time and was continuously amazed at all the shorebirds and water fowl in every lake. (Lakeland, FL)
Critique and criticism are not the same thing.
The critique is to give useful tips and/or points to correct certain discrepancies. And to suggest what can be done to make a photo more appealing
For example, the white egrets are difficult to get a proper exposure on when photographed in bright, unshaded light. If no shade, or diffusion is available, try under exposing in small increments to get the desired exposure. You can also dodge and burn in post. You could also try the "sunny 16" technique.
I offer no criticism. If I just plain don't like something, I do not comment. Our art is subjective. What makes me visually happy may grate your senses and/or vice versa.
The best advice I can offer is to get out and practice your craft. Every day if possible. Make prints and study your frames.

Maybe not my "very best", but certainly my favorite to print and frame.
California 2019 Super Bloom. Poppies at Antelope Valley, California.

I like all four. But my two faves are the Eagle and the Moose. I like the Osprey frame also, but if you do choose that one, it's my opinion to NOT crop it to center. While the light is beautiful in the Osprey shot, I really dig the framing of the Eagle in the pine, and the face is super clear and crisp. All the best to you!

So cute.

All gorgeous photos. You are so right, Utah is a great place to photograph.

These are, each and every one, absolutely incredible. So fabulous! Thanks for sharing!

I make my own greeting cards, but witout printing... Most people toss the paper, yet will have and keep the ecard on their computer or in their fb pages. Go Green!
I use only my own photographs... which has led to a couple of sales as well.