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
![Image](http://www.pbase.com/nsaratan/image/82323718/medium.jpg)
Love the simplicity here, and the incredibly sharp details. Must be viewed in original size to appreciate it properly.
Stuart Clarke
![Image](http://www.pbase.com/image/95325290/medium.jpg)
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
![Image](http://www.pbase.com/july_1960/image/92816279/medium.jpg)
So many droplets captured to make a beautiful composition, right down to the last little droplet and it's reflection.
Markus Grompe
![Image](http://www.pbase.com/grompem/image/68234546/medium.jpg)
Fabulous dof and subtle colors in a beautifully composed shot.
Sayer
![Image](http://www.pbase.com/sayer/image/109090228/medium.jpg)
Wonderful close look at this prehistoric creature... sharp and great tonality in the skin and details in it's pretty eye.
David Pitcher
![Image](http://www.pbase.com/slowboat/image/88306640/medium.jpg)
Beautiful example of an artistic use of macro to create abstract art... as a pedal becomes an ocean wave.
David Kinahan
![Image](http://www.pbase.com/davidkinahan/image/86327997/medium.jpg)
Just the kind of artistic dof that attracts me to macro work. Beautiful and subtle.
Bud
![Image](http://www.pbase.com/budohio/image/99639019/medium.jpg)
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
![Image](http://www.pbase.com/gpmerfeld/image/52181282/medium.jpg)
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
![Image](http://www.pbase.com/vulien/image/109347833/medium.jpg)
Fell in love with this little critter at first glance. What a face and an amazing capture by Lien.
FIRST PLACE - Jeff Waldorf
![Image](http://www.pbase.com/image/105114930/medium.jpg)
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