We all open ourselves up to criticism when we display our photographs. We may have a personal attachment to an area or the day spent that was appealing to us, more than really the photographs we took. I think this is your case. You were recording only what was there and not isolating any one thing to hold the viewers interest. When I compose a scene, I try to take out as many unnecessary things (by moving around) to get the best composition. The simplest image statement is quite often the strongest statement with photography.