Beautiful - and you surely have a wood creature there? That branch looks a bit like a frog mid-leap, or one of those strange fishes that jump onto land.
Oh wow, this tree is quite the beauty, the bark nice and dark and it has such a smooth look to it. And then the nice mix of colors in the brush. Very nice, and also the writing, very nicely done Matt.
@dulciknit Yes, you're right. It does look like a frog mid-leap. Well spotted, you do have a good eye, Alison. Funny that you should mention frogs as it was around here that I did spot a frog on a log. Well, not a real frog, but another wood creature frog. Here, have a look. http://365project.org/sabresun/365/2011-05-21