OT: Autumn comes to Texas

It’s a long way from the Rocky Mountains, but I hope you like this nevertheless. Nestled in the limestone hills of the Texas Hill Country is a stand of big-tooth maples apparently left over from the last ice age. Just as with aspens, the intensity of their fall color change varies from year to year. The last couple of weekends my family and I have witnessed one of the more impressive displays of autumn colors, which is surprising since it’s been a brutally hot and dry summer. However, the spring-fed Sabinal River is still running, apparently providing enough moisture for the trees to hang in there.

Here's a link to more images taken over the last two weeks at Lost Maples State Natural Area.

Constructive criticism is always helpful and very much appreciated. Sometimes I let the memories associated with an image alter my perception of whether it’s actually worth a flip or not.

Real pretty series, Erik!
Here are some thoughts:
Love #1, as presented it may be my fav--but;
Crop the top (green) in #3 and it would be awesome!
Reduce the blue (significantly) in #11, and it would be killer!
A general suggestion, for shot like the one posted above: When you use a strategy of offsetting the subject with a shallow DOF, try to make sure a good part of the focused subject is presented in an optimal fashion--for example, in this shot the eye is drawn immediately to the center trio of leaves, but the separation of those leaves is not optimal, so I tend to lose interest.

I kind of agree with Stan on his crop suggestion in the third one and I think it would make it my favorite as well. Those black branches are just perfect. I also love 0729 and 0731. These images remind me a little of the fall images of the Japanese Garden in (I think) Portland. You're making Texas slightly intriguing

The third image is my favorite and I agree with the suggestion to crop the top. I love Lost Maples SNA and look forward to getting back there in a few years. I wish the colors could last through to the middle of December when I'll be there visiting family. The Texas Hill Country is a great place to shoot!

I think my favorite is #12. The complimentary green and red colors are striking. #s 1 and 16 are also really nice, I like the depth of field you achieved with the closeup treatment of those two comps.

Thanks as always for your comments and suggestions. I really appreciate having someone else's perspective, as I find myself getting to invested in my own pictures. Stan, I especially appreciate your comments. Your point about having a focal point is well taken. And looking at the others, I find myself nodding my head and agreeing with almost everything you said. Thanks again! (Adam, I'll be happy to accompany you out there if you can make it before Thanksgiving sometime...)

Great work Eric. I particularly like 743 for the composition with the distinct nice tree limbs and nice color in the leaves. 741 is my next favorite.

A nice set of images, Eric. I'd have to say that 729 is my favorite, due to the variety of colors.

Nice series. Yes it is hard for folks to believe that Texas has some spots that get good fall color, but Lost Maples is a fantastic area. Hoping you got some of the red oaks in the surrounding hills. When we get a good year they too can put on some nice color.