This truly looks like a lovely painting. Its soft colors are a joy to look at and I'm wondering what time of year this was taken. It looks like autumn, but the soft greens look like spring. Makes me want to be very quiet and still as I view it.
"I never looked for it, gave it no name; yet I knew it always, when the gift of peace came. I stood quite still for the moment that it lasted...Then the light shifted slightly and the moment passed, leaving me...with the lasting echo of its presence.." Diana Gabaldon
*You will have noticed that I haven't been commenting as much on your fine images!..This is because of the pains in my hands!..the constant use of the keyboard, makes this difficult..so, my dear friends..I can only apologise to you all in advance!*
OwdBob'sGallery
The addition and use of the tree branches as a natural framing element works well in my eyes. Just the right amount, in my humble opinion.
Annnnd ... I know this area somewhat. Think I even played the golf course depicted.
If I may be so bold, and I am unsure whether or not you have a noise reduction program ... go here for a look and download, if you wish of NeatImage. Freeware version works well, and it is a popular and highly recommended program by a number of our sites' resident photography heavyweights.
The reason I make mention ... and it is minor ... the qualities of the foreground elements and setting, to my eyes are wonderfully 'soft'. And I don't mean focus wise. The tips of the trees, the greens of the fairway have a distinctive look to me. Think that by turning the sky 'silky smooth', as one member refers to it ... could kick this one up a bit. Just a thought.
Good colour, and for a hand held shot?
I need not say more.
Very nice photo and a very picturesque valley. Thanks for sharing this perspective with us ... and for that ... I will forgive you for reminding me of the trouble I got into on the 7th fairway. >:o)
Thanks, dear friend !