Creating this image - or coming across it at the right time of day - you made everything work in harmony: the 28-135mm (which I owned for a while) is very apt for this lighting and type of scene; the gentle bokeh and colours remind me of a classic story-telling sort of photography style; the "I wonder what is over the hill" perspective view is not that common but always seductive in its implicit question. All-in-all a subtle image I would have been torn about entering in such a challenge. I'm glad to see that so many people 'got it.'
He's not really missing. You found him! But I suppose he might have been missing until you found him... and this is a gorgeous photo... so a Posthumous red ribbon for you: