Thanks danamo!!  But alas it did not solve the problem...  I unchecked enable ground, deleted poser ground did everything listed above and still have the weird patch...  rendering again, different render settings and lights and am hoping maybe that'll do it.....

Gerard

The GR00VY GH0ULIE!

You are pure, you are snow
We are the useless sluts that they mould
Rock n roll is our epiphany
Culture, alienation, boredom and despair