Under exposed eh, I can bump it up a bit. Your adjustment is a little much, having been there, but mine I agree, it’s low. I think you are on to it about the harshness of the high full sun. I think I may have reduced the exposure a bit trying for a better look overcompensating for the harshness of the light. I have a diffuser I will try that again if I get the opportunity this year. The flowers are fading and there is rain forecast for the next few days.

The EXIF is embedded, but to summarize, you are correct, it was in full sun a little after 1 in the afternoon. Shot with a D70 and Tamron 90 Di at 1/500 f9. Contrast, sharpness and saturation set to low, but I processed in RAW Shooters Essential so that’s a wash. I set the White Balance from a WhiBal card reading.

I think your tighter crop looks better too.