To be honest wit-cha, the first one (valve) looks like it was taken with a $1000000 camera, and the other three with a $99 camera. I think they're just over-JPG'ed. The first one's the winner for texture. I like the third one (pine cone), but I think it displays more 'pattern' than 'texture'. Boy - this is reminding me; I'd better get on the ball myself here if I'm gonna come up with an entry, and the competition is starting to scare me. Time's flying! Joe