Background Practice: The Legendary Suicune Colored

Okay, this is my first critique, so sorry ahead of time. (And did you know, I was saving my first for one that I really liked? <img src="e.deviantart.net/emoticons/r/r…" width="15" height="15" alt="" title=" (Razz)"/>) What I like about this piece... The smokey fog on the bottom was a very nice touch. The clouds were also very nice, and the shading on Suicune is amazing. I love the highlights as well~! And the island in the distance has wonderful detail at such a long ways away. And the green moss-like stains on the rock Suicune's standing on was another wonderful touch.
Okay, here comes the parts that you could improve on (and little flaws), first: Suicune looks like it's facing the rising sun, like a JUST rising sun, since you made its back much darker than the highlights. However, if you look at the sky, it looks like it's noon since the sky is already light blue and the clouds are clear and the absence of red and sun (I think it would be better if Suicune was facing the sun, and you could see the sun as well). It would fit the drastic difference in shading more, and also just that the sky is a little too bright for such dark shading on Suicune, who looks like it's supposed to be looking at a rising sun.
Just a thought.
Also, there's a part on its mane (on the upper layer, the UPPEST layer) it seems blue. Dark blue. Maybe it's a shading part, I don't know, but that part looks like it should've hit the light a lot, and it should be highlighted instead of darkened so much. Again, that might just be because of the bright sky. The hind foot on our right seems to be awkward for some reason... Maybe there's less shading on it? Once again, it may be awkward because it's so darkly shaded while the sky is bright blue. And... The sea looks too realistic for Pokemon, just saying, that's not BAD, it just doesn't fit the picture.
Overall, WONDERFUL JOB! <img src="e.deviantart.net/emoticons/s/s…" width="15" height="15" alt="" title=" (Smile)"/>