This is a photo that won the photo of the day award for national geographic on October 13 of this year.  This photo was taken by Richard Bryant and is of a American alligator claw.  One of the strengths of this picture is the unified colors.  It makes the alligator claw blend in so well with the background that it seems like it is part of the background.  light in this picture also plays a role in giving the alligator leg and claw more detail and texture. Texture in this photo is strong and as a viewer you can almost feel the alligator scales.  The arm of the alligator comes into the picture right where the rule of thirds line is which makes the composition work.  also the photographer did a good job of including all of the claws and not cutting any of them off.