I like the image, well done with the conversion...... however to say "If it wasn't for the HDR, this would probably have been a fairly bland photo" to me is a little too far..... this scene is an example of something which could have been created through using a zone system and blending areas from a few exposures.... so HDR isnt the only option in a situation like this.
But you've used it well..... so well done :thumbup: