I usually like to include more in a photo however, after uploading this photo along with a few others from the same creek, this one kept coming back as my favorite. Most of the sun had already dropped down behind the trees, but the remaining light really softened the water's surface and kind of muffled its movement. I think it contains just enough light to make it interesting. The foreground is not completely in focus, but I do not think it distracts from the overall focus, but rather adds to its softness. Of course, my perception only. Hope you like it.
For me personally, this photo is beautiful because it is so calming and makes me want to sit right there on the bank. From an amateur photographer standpoint, I think it works in an unique way for the law of thirds. Your focus brings the eye right up to the upper left quadrant, where the trunk of that tree meets its reflection and then in the money spot is a double reflection of the sun and then the glow of it above. The thing I love best about great literature, art and photography is that the viewer sees into it something of themself or something they need. You have accomplished this for me tonight, Rick.
sigh ... ^^