Not much to say about this one...

Thanks Sockratease.  It's done with UF4. Although I have played with Apo, I'm just working with UF these days, trying to get some familiarity with the possibilities it provides.

This is an amazing work, almost photorealistic.

I think the thing that would make it perfect (as it is, I say 9.9/10) would be to lightly boost the completely black areas and then add the texture to them. As nothing in nature is ever totally black, this would make it absolutely perfect. I can see it being rather hard to do right though, and the image is still absolutely excellent as it is. Great work!

ps - I try to comment specifically when I have an idea that might improve a work, not because I am a nit pick, but because I most appreciate it when others do the same for me (the best comment you can ever leave me is "This blows, and here's why:"). That said, I mean absolutely no offense, and I do apologize if you would prefer me not make suggestions in comments. I can delete my posts very quickly and will do so without hesitation if asked.