It was nearly an impossible task for me to choose just a handful of these “gems,” but a few that I’d like to mention (in no particular order):
![](https://pbase.com/image/http://www.pbase.com/pstubley/image/111827944/medium/medium.jpg)
I love the deep color against the black background
![](https://pbase.com/image/http://www.pbase.com/larabephotography/image/117179277/medium/medium.jpg)
this seems other-worldly, just sparkles
![](https://pbase.com/image/http://www.pbase.com/dominiccantin/image/113135315/medium/medium.jpg)
I always think of hummers as “nature’s gems” & I wanted to go a little past the expected for this contest, but besides being an excellent photo, that little “fluff” is so appealing
![](https://pbase.com/image/http://www.pbase.com/image/99275066/medium/medium.jpg)
never thought a spider could be so appealing and “gemlike”, & the water drops take it a step further
![](https://pbase.com/image/http://www.pbase.com/image/71606691/medium/medium.jpg)
I do wish this creature were more colorful & stood out from it’s background a bit more, but how awesome to capture that pose. Hysterical!
![](https://pbase.com/image/http://www.pbase.com/bknoll/image/117309554/medium/medium.jpg)
I’ve always ignored these ugly birds. Who new they had such beautiful eyes! I’ll be stalking them now
![](https://pbase.com/image/http://www.pbase.com/rsub8/image/115717600/medium/medium.jpg)
the softness and color contrast so nicely with the rigid underside of the mushroom. This treatment really elevates it from the ordinary
![](https://pbase.com/image/http://www.pbase.com/fishit/image/93391387/medium/medium.jpg)
sometimes “gem”s look best in black & white
and the winners:
4th place:
![](https://pbase.com/image/http://www.pbase.com/image/78820672/medium/medium.jpg)
the dramatic way this photo is composed makes this look like a gem. It just glows. I have to know – what is it?!
3rd place:
![](https://pbase.com/image/http://www.pbase.com/nickviv/image/105811183/medium.jpg)
love the abstract quality of this & the way the droplets magnify the texture of the leaf
2nd place:
![](https://pbase.com/image/http://www.pbase.com/photomary/image/111781518/medium/medium.jpg)
love the dreamy ethereal effect, the softness and beautiful color. You feel it’s organic without knowing exactly what it is (unless you go to Mary’s gallery where my favorite of her images resides). For me it definitely portrays that sense of mystery.
And first place:
![](https://pbase.com/image/http://www.pbase.com/emmelafoto/image/115760062/medium/medium.jpg)
great detail in the grasshopper & love the contrast against the pink ground. It’s so much stronger shot this way than in it’s natural habitat. Congratulation Maaike – you get the pleasure of the next contest!
Thanks to everyone who entered. I really enjoyed looking at your galleries.