Over application of noise-reduction can result in a near 'watercolor' image (and pixel-peeping shows this image to have that quality). So I'd say the auto settings are applying a heavy dose of noise-reduction.. can it be turned down (or off), or can you photograph in RAW and go from there? Lightroom has quite nice noise reduction processing, and there are lots of excellent third-party solutions (noise-ninja, neat image, etc).
Other than that, I'd say that it just looks COLD! Come fly in AZ...