Well I've tried several different things on this and just keep coming back to the first version, it's not perfect I know, but I've learned an immense amount of "how to" on this image...so this is the final for now until I learn more...hope you like it...:) For those wanting info on the fern pack see below... the little guys name is "newt"

Attached Link: http://host1.bondware.com/~syydr/catalog.ez?ShowProduct=TP%2D020&TopElement=0

Here's the goods on the ferns....I like this pack they're very detailed TransPond's Fern Pack (RunDNA) Includes 10 Fern Species - Autumn Fern - Crested Wood Fern - Himilayan Maidenhair Fern - Japanese Painted Fern - Male Fern - Narrow-Leaved Male Fern - Northern Maidenhair Fern - Oak Fern - Red-Stemmed Lady Fern - Royal Fern Bonus - Decorative Pots for use as indoor plants $18.75 SKU: TP-020

Cool. I like the feeling, but IMHO those hard shadows look a bit weird against the softness of "newt." If you have bryce5, maybe enable soft shadows?

Thanks max, I'll try it out, hmmmm, can the sun have soft shadows? AND, in light of a post by tjohn, everything is mine but the ferns, they are from Transponds Fern Pack (see above)....

Yeah Zhann, go ino the sky lab y clciking on the little cloud button. Then under the "sunand moon" section, there should be sun shadows at the bottom. Maybe take the slider down to 60 and hit the button for soft shadows. The just render, you don;t need to mess with the render settings even.

Kewl, thanks max

Yes madmax. The picture would be perfection with softer shadows. I like this picture Zhann.

Great work!

Very nice image. I agree about the soft shadows. They'll add realism.

I like your image a lot! I agree that it would benifit from soft shadows. Thanks for the fern info. LynnDee

Nice one, Zhann. But, I'm going to play devil's advoacate on this one about the shadows. The closeness of the fern branches in relation to newt should be a bit sharper. It appears that the branches aren't that far from the surface and in turn, would have crisper edges. Add distance from the branches and then you would have softer edges to the shadows. From the brightness of the image, it ;ooks like it would be midday. That's where I am getting this from. Still digging those rock textures, too. BOOM

Well, after considering all the suggestions I guess this might not be my final, I'll try them all and post with and without soft shadows, plus I have another idea....