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Would love your critique on this one. I'm liking the overall

composition, and only wish that the leg was propped up on the petal

and not sticking out like it is. Fast little bugger. It was a

challenge chasing him around.

Who are these people who dole out 3's like they are going out of style?  A 3 is a poor quality image.  I'd like to know what about this image is poor?  Its not perfect, but it is a studied image, shot with care by someone who has invested and practiced.   What about it so terribly unoriginal?  I didn't shoot the bug in the middle of the flower.  I waited for him to perch on the outside.  I carefully planned for an analogous color scheme--not a coincidence.  Sure, it's not wholly unique; but its also not your typical butterfly shot.  I challenge that rater to give me a real critique of this.   If you know what you are talking about, then how about helping a person grow and not just handing out low points.  /rant

Now, now Kristin... your membership date says you've been around a lot longer than I have.  By now you should know that these guys will not answer because it's all to provoke.  I have a theory that it's not the know nothing beginners leaving these 3s, but the pixel peepers that love to harangue the POW at great length and ad nauseam, but won't post any of their own work.  Do as many of us do.... ignore.

As for this shot, it's very well captured, great color and at least one of it's eyes seems to be watching you ;-)... Mike

I had a moment of weakness. 

Wonderful macro, great light and details, wishing you all of the best.

Not so enamoured with the border, to be honest I think it detracts from the picture as a whole, but the shot itself is eyecatching. A slighter higher ISO to allow a tighter aperture would've brought the back wing in a bit and clarified the tip of the front wing, but considering the lack of time to plan every detail I'd be happy with it.

Don't fret about 3's, some people get their kicks acting like that.

I appreciate the feedback.  I've taken to bordering everything with a similar border for consistency, and black seemed safest.  I compared them side by side and I preferred it with the border, but I could be the William Hung of the photography world, thinking I'm just fabulous.

With my 50mm lens at ISO 250, and a 640 shutter, I could have gone up much more.  I thought 4.5 would get me where I needed to be.  I'm learning to stop down more and more.  I'm wondering though, if having shot at a 6.3 would have brought the distant petals into too much detail. 

I've been through the same, at the moment I'm using a 105mm micro with a 20mm extension tube and I've been shocked at how tight I have to go (f11 gives about 2/3 the depth of field you have here at close range), I've missed some lovely shots because I only had one tiny part in focus so the best advice I can give is to go a couple of stops above and crop or fudge it subtlely with software if it's too much of a distraction.

And when you get it nailed, please feel free to come and let me know what worked for you :o)