We're both seeing the same issue: the tree that should be the focal point is getting lost in the texture of the rock. There isn't much in the way of color separation, but I did hand-adjust the tree in photoshop as much as I consider believable. It obviously wasn't enough.
Your suggestion of waiting for flatter light is a good one. The tree is naturally darker than the rock. If the high-contrast shadows are gone, it might help the tree stand out. If it's sunny, I might experiment with different subject focus. When I took this photo I was belaying my climbing partner, so I wasn't exactly mobile. That has the advantage of forcing you to survey the scene at hand, but it isn't exactly flexible, especially with a prime lens.
Phillip