Struggling to decide the winners, I'm including 8 runners up that I feel must get recognition for their wonderful entries.
Here are the final results, and I’m only sorry I can’t include all 26 finalists!
Noel Saratan

Love the simplicity here, and the incredibly sharp details. Must be viewed in original size to appreciate it properly.
Stuart Clarke

Sharp and great color capture of this pretty snake and surrounding foliage, and a beautiful use of dof, bringing it right out of the photo towards us.
Susanne Schroeder

So many droplets captured to make a beautiful composition, right down to the last little droplet and it's reflection.
Markus Grompe

Fabulous dof and subtle colors in a beautifully composed shot.
Sayer

Wonderful close look at this prehistoric creature... sharp and great tonality in the skin and details in it's pretty eye.
David Pitcher

Beautiful example of an artistic use of macro to create abstract art... as a pedal becomes an ocean wave.
David Kinahan

Just the kind of artistic dof that attracts me to macro work. Beautiful and subtle.
Bud

See this one in it's original size, to enjoy the up close beauty of an ordinary fly. Those are some incredible eyes!
AND NOW... THE WINNERS
THIRD PLACE - GP Merfeld

This capture exemplifies what I like best about artistic use of macro. A wonderfully eye-pleasing composition with a water drop that's tack sharp and a beautiful dof.
SECOND PLACE - Lien Vu

Fell in love with this little critter at first glance. What a face and an amazing capture by Lien.
FIRST PLACE - Jeff Waldorf

Amazing capture, that is tack sharp, right down to it's sweet little toes, beautifully composed with a wonderful bokeh. Jeff has captured one of my favorite animals, that's welfare is so closely linked to our own... perched perfectly on a beautiful seed pod. Must view this wonderful pic in it's original size, to appreciate all the details!
Thanks again for the wonderful entries everyone, and I pass the baton to you, Jeff. Enjoy!
Sandi