Nicely seen and captured.
Interesting shot Brian.
It is probably not what you are looking for, but personally, I would like to see a bit more 'separation' between the right-side top-half off the spine and the background....
Brian... Your macro and closeup efforts have really flowered (pun intended) but, I am wondering if some added light might not be applicable to some of those shots. Either an inexpensive flash or a light like this might be the ticket.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Dimmable-17...sZm3:rk:2:pf:0
It would be easy to diffuse either light source and to use a reflector for some fill. The flash would help to freeze action (depending on the level of ambient light) while the LED would give you WYSIWYG lighting. Either could be powered by battery and would not need an a/c power source... Either would be relatively inexpensive since you would not need a TTL flash, manual would do just fine.
Richard - while I firmly agree with your assessment of adding light. I suspect that once Brian figures out luminosity masks (and how they work with the other C1 functionality), we should see him use those to correct these types of issues. A luminosity mask to bring out the shadow detail would certainly help this image.
Interesting subject Brian. I've been flicking between your original and Manfred's edit, and I think I prefer the original. It calls to mind a fairy tale forest - if that makes any sense - the shadow is where the mystery is and that is lost when the front of the thorn is lightened to reveal detail. So, it depends on your purpose - narrative or forensic.