I went to the Kubota Garden with a couple of Japanese exchange students, and the light seemed to be right on the willow tree. Took me a lot of tries to get it right :P
I can see what your problem was with the strong light on that light green willow. They are hard to capture in any light, and it seems you did the best you could given the circumstances and since I don't know what sort of camera you use or what software you may employ on your computer, it's hard for me to give advice, but I applaud your efforts and keep plugging away :) I do want to commend you on the clarity otherwise and the lovely composition you saw..the reflections in the water also add to this :)PJ