Thanks! I appreciate your comment very much. I think that the slightly cloudy skies helped to reduce the contrast and enhance the colors a bit.
Yeah... I really need to take some photography courses at the local cc, because I would love to know when is the proper time to take what photo... I am taking courses through where I bought the camera, but they don't go over specifics like that. But I'm still a noob to slr... so... I'll learn, in time.