Thanks all. I asked the ripple placement question in hopes to spark a convo on the finer points of composition... something I really know nothing about. I think I got a decent sense of balance in pictures, but find myself pondering endlessly where to put a rock, or a bird, etc. But alas, I got no bites to my question. lol. Oh well, I'm gonna work on the bark, and try a few different light settings as Drac suggested and call it done. Bryster I looked for some birds but found none. I'll keep looking though, it would definitely be a good touch. Muddy