Not quite

what I wanted. I attempted a top view of that Eve's needle cactus, but it is harder than I thought. I wanted a shallow dof, and I used it. But the effect is not quite what I had in mind. And the framing is also offset. But I'll settle for this.

[Diana]

I think it is lovely, the mind sometimes plays tricks on us ;-)

[Casablanca]

Give it another go then if it is not how you wanted it to look! How about a little bit of ICM by pulling the lens either in or out. It will make it look like a firework exploding and give it movement. Just a thought!

[moni kozi]

@casablanca good idea. I might give it a try.

[leggzy]

Looks gorgeous!

[Mags]

Love your focus here!

[Susan Wakely]

Nice capture of the raindrops.

[Lady Magpie (Heather)]

Still looks good capture. FAV

[Pyrrhula]

Sometimes the results are even better as expected. You just have to reset you expections

[Shutterbug]

I really like it. Terrific full screen shot and love the drops on the vibrant green.

[RonM]

Interesting focus.

[borof]

Interesting shot, even if it's not exactly what you expected. Definitely worth another try.

[moni kozi]

@pyrrhula Yes, you are soooo right. We should enjoy more what we have, instead of hanging on expectations.

[moni kozi]

I did have some more tries, but did not get to what I wanted. I aimed for all the tips to be in focus and the rest blurred. But the spikes are of different lengths, so my aim was impossible. Perhaps with some advanced photographic and processing techniques (like focus stacking) it might be possible.
Thank you very much, @ludwigsdiana @casablanca @leggzy @marlboromaam @wakelys @ladymagpie @pyrrhula @shutterbug49 @milestonevisualmedia and @monikozi

[LManning (Laura)]

It looks rather like a sea creature. I like it!

[moni kozi]

@ljmanning Heheee. I didn't think of that. Thank you.

[Lee]

I think it's quite an effective shot, looks to be reaching out.

[moni kozi]

@gamelee Thank you very much. I think that was the effect i was unknowingly looking for. And i think i wanted perfection. :) instead of enjoying what i managed.