Macro Pampas Grass
by Balko

Comment by toddgray:
Nice job with the dark background and in letting the stems flow all thru the frame.

Elm Leaves
by Balko

Comment by Balko:
Just a note of thanks to all - you can tell it is color that draws me in, especially blue! All the leaves were over my head so I was a bit limited in composition there. I used my Sigma 18-200 OS for all the shots - you have to pry that lens out of my cold dead hands to get it away from me LOL
I am constantly amazed at how well it performs.

Macro Buds
by Balko

Comment by Alicia:
You are a real wiz with the bokeh and the macro - awesome composition.

Great group of photos - loved looking at them.

Elm Leaves
by Balko

Comment by Alicia:
Just brilliant with the azure sky showing through the fall leaves. Great job.

Up Into The Oaks
by Balko

Comment by Alicia:
Very nice perspective with the two trunks. Again - great colors.

Last of the Oak Leaves
by Balko

Comment by Alicia:
Really stunning, Ingrid. Beautiful colors and outstanding bokeh. Love the composition, too.

Macro Pampas Grass
by Balko

Comment by Alicia:
Oh, so beautiful!! Lovely how the light catches on the little hairs.

Elm Leaves
by Balko

Comment by jonfrommk:
Ingrid

Thanks for completing the challenge and for sharing seven great pictures with us. As has been mentioned already in the comments the blue in this picture is simply awesome (though I think the colours in all your shots have been outstanding)

Really interesting DOF used here that seems to fade in and out and various contiguous points in the shot, which is a pretty neat trick to pull off and which I really love. I also like the leading line that the twig dreates and the way the leave stems counterpoint this

As for a sour comment...hmmm well the red edge of the two leaves in the top centre of the picture seems a little off, I am not really sure how this could be addressed and would emphasise that it is only a minor point

Elm Leaves
by Balko

Comment by Moatz:
From the thumbnail, I though it was leaves in/over water. That is just a beautiful shade of blue.

Up Into The Oaks
by Balko

Comment by Moatz:
This is so pretty. I reminds me of all the raking I have done in the last couple of weeks though, someone still has some raking to look forward to =)