Green oasis
by mariuca

Comment:
I tried so hard to visit this place on my trip to NYC earlier this year and was within walking distance over on the High Line trail, but ran out of time before my appointment in midtown. A great capture/perspective for this challenge. :-)

Nature's Textures
by noraneko

Comment:
Really enjoy the colors and textures you've juxtaposed here. The choice of a stone "canvas" to emphasize those natural tones is both clever and effective for me, too.

Pollination
by crik

Comment:
Coloration and detail in this image is astounding to me. Surprised it didn't place higher.

Life at the Water's Interface
by markwiley

Comment:
Visually, this was easily my favorite in the challenge. It feels very much like the sort of thing I would hang in an office waiting room to create meditative calmness and a pop of earthy color for mood. I also adore the processing. It's the kind of painterly photorealism I dig and can so rarely imitate.

Super Macro of a Sachem Butterfly
by GolferDDS

Comment:
One of the most technically proficient macros I've ever seen. I've never tried focus stacking before. This makes me want to learn! Congrats on the ribbon

Pachydiplax longipennis - Blue Dasher
by wildiris

Comment:
Beautiful capture. These are indeed SO difficult to capture facing you, let alone staring down the barrel at you. :-)

Protected platform
by primabarbara

Comment:
Nicely done. :-)

Life In A Fish Bowl
by GolferDDS

Comment:
Very nicely conceived and executed. Having tried something similar with a willing subject and failing repeatedly, I know exactly how hard this is to get right! Pretty sure this is a lock for the top spot, and my personal favorite in the challenge.

I'm not so sure I would have included the fish. I get the rationale, but I would have probably opted more for a terrarium vs. aquarium effect, since (for me) the fish interrupt the illusion a bit due to the obvious absence of water in the glass.

The author
by Neat

Comment:
Congrats on the red! A well-deserved placement here.

make a face
by PennyStreet

Comment:
A personal favorite for me this challenge. Looks like a kid who will definitely make people smile many times over in life. :-)