standing rock...

[Miez]

and... yes... I don't know how to do skies in Max (I think it's strange Max doesn't do skies itself - there are several "lesser" 3d tools that do beautiful and truly accpetable skies automatically) and I still feel a bit strange putting a photograph of the sky as background

Great picture - love the grass. Take a look at this page stuffed wiith absolutely great 3ds max tutorials (some of them dealing with sky & clouds):

3D Cafe

Good luck with your great artwork!