When using a drop shadow on an image (the snake) that will be placed over a Close object and a faraway object (In this case the Wicker (Close) and Water (Faraway) duplicate the layer and give the drop shadow to the under layer. Then ERASE parts of the under layer to remove the drop shadow that has fallen on the water Background. IMHO it would improve the image.

The snake should only cast a shadow on the wicker and NOT cast a shadow on the sky behind itself. (Also the wicker casting shadow on the lower right should be eliminated also.

Just a suggestion, nice idea for a chop and good luck

There shouldn't be a drop shadow at all on the wicker layer at left. Remove the drop shadow on the sky, keep the snake shadow on the wicker, but blur it.