Thanks everyone for all the comments. I'll try to answer a few of the questions posed by giving you my thoughts on these.
1. I like capturing leaves back-lit by the sun against a dark background of complimentary color. It's a recurring theme that I find easy to get pleasing results from. I sometimes wonder if the shots are too boring due to the relative lack of work I seem to need to put in. I posted this as a reality check of sorts.
2. I love the Sigma 50mm 1.4, but on a crop sensor you are dealing with a FoV more like a 75mm. I find I struggle with the composition at times for this reason and would like to get a wider lens with similar optical characteristics (bokeh mainly). I have been considering either the Sigma 30mm 1.4 or trying the Nikkor 35 or 24 f/1.4. Not looking forward to selling a kidney to get one of these so maybe I'll try the Sigma first.

I feel this shot falls short on composition, but I worked a lot in post to get the apples to look right and coloring seem nice - on my monitor anyway.
3. I'm a little bit disappointed in this to be honest. I took MANY shots with different lenses. Experimented with matrix, spot, and center weight metering. Tried a variety of apertures and focal points. This was the best of the bunch and required a bit of curve adjustments, sharpening, straightening, and local contrast adjustments. I think the composition is spot on. I just think I needed the 70-200mm f/2.8 to really nail it. This would have allowed me to use my CPL as well (I only have 77mm filters at the moment). I'm going back when the colors peak to try again.
4. Meh. I wanted this to be more. Not sure how to match the picture in my head.
5. This shot surprised me a bit and I needed to work a bit in post to get it to this point. I knew what I wanted and again took a variety of shots from different angles. I accidentally left the aperture at 1.4 for this and was surprised this was the best of the bunch. I think I cropped too tight on the top so I will likely revisit in post to fine tune.
6. Another cramped composition with the 50mm. My back was literally against the wall and I wanted the lights in the background. I had to do a lot of work with the RAW image to the get the lighting right and retain the detail on the beige pumpkins and crate in the foreground. I wish I could have captured more on the right side.
I always see something wrong with my shots, as nothing ever matches exactly what I see in my minds eye. Thanks again for all your time and comments.
Steve