I've looked at these shots some more, and I think what Russ said is dead on. These little jpegs just don't do these images justice, and I have no doubt that the full sized images really would make one stop and analyze. I think that I got a little antsy because I couldn't make out the specifics of the details.
Also, I forgot to mention in my first post that I really like your use of contrast here. Furthermore, I just noticed what I assume is an underwater log in #2, which makes that shot for me now- that diagonal is balanced by a line of brush in the upper 1/4, just left of center.
John
Edit reason: adverb duplication