Passion
by GinaRothfels

Comment:
Moving, perfectly presented image. Impeccable precision. I so much want to believe this. Maybe I can.

Dreamy dawn
by Alex_Petrini

Comment:
Fine far-seeing image. Wonderful light.

Northern Pintails
by MaryO

Comment:
Wonderfully seen. The shy intimacy of the ducks, amidst the swirling, radiant water, plays out before a delicate backdrop of plants and starlike highlights. We are privileged to see this moment. Nice sepia treatment.
An additional personal second favorite of the challenge.

Aurora Fire
by JustinM

Comment:
Directly presented huge fire, as is more and more wont to occur. Thank you .... well, I'll forego the bitterness. There's a certain grandeur here, nevertheless, in addition to the heartbreak. What's really fascinating to me is how the orange glow comingles with the night sky. The deep field leading to the line of trees is a strong participant in the interesting composition. Fine testimony.

Ephemeral
by roz

Comment:
Lovely, elucidating image. The insect is pared down to its essentials, eye, wing and leg. This is accomplished through a judiciosly shallow depth of field, and great touch. If we didn't know about insects we wouldn't know what in the world to make of it, being so crazy indecipherable. Black and white does this well. Very artful.
Personal second favorite of the challenge.

Take Out
by vawendy

Comment:
Fully awesome image, with great drama, clarity and colors. The clipped wings forces us to confront the content rather than grace and splendor. They both seem to be under a microscope, both given primacy, yet one lives and one dies. Their eyes are the same, as are their vibrant presences. And yet, from our safe and soft perspective, we can recognize the overall pattern woven by nature, the scintillation of life and death, all in their turn. Actually, it's thrust upon us to look or look away.
Wonderful. Personal favorite of the challenge.

Window Ice During the Big Freeze
by Bear_Music

Comment:
An alien landscape right here on one's window. The stripe of ice makes a lovely abstract, seemingly flowing, as water does, being in its genes. Pleasing color combination of blues and ginger ale. Windows can display beauty inside, outside, reflected and right on it. Fun to look at.

Here for a Day
by Elaine

Comment:
What nature offers! This deepish macro displays the endless creativity of life, and it's like the flower is posing for adoring fans. The soft colors, textures and shapes bring on a smile and serenity. Nicely shown.

Thursday morning
by primabarbara

Comment:
At first I thought this was a severely angled evergreen forest. Then saw that it's delicate ice grown on a cold window -- at least that's what I think it is. The jaunty angle makes this for me, and the subtly colored rings in the background. Compelling image, easily beautiful.

Ladybug Dressed In Red . . . .
by ErinKirsten

Comment:
This feels like the end of a journey, the ladybird emerging from a tunnel, or a wormhole in space. Sumptuous setting, with the ladybug having that hint of orange that invites the eye to linger. It's neat how the very shallow depth of field grazes the petal edges, left and right.