Yummy!

I did this and my competition picture with my new Sigma 105mm Macro - both done for the competition

But the duck was too cute.

And another one.......

A big ugly spider on that biscuit would have set it off nicely

The flower shot doesn't quite do it for me. With macro it's important to get some part of the subject in focus. With bugs i always try and get the eyes in focus and with flowers i aim for either the stamen (centre of the flower) or if taken from a side on perspective as you have done the very tips of the petals.
Avoid getting in too close remember cropping can give you just as sharp results and more of the subject will be in focus.
But its really what you are trying to achieve that counts
keep them coming

I hope i am giving you some good advice as i haven't been doing this very long myself only a few months in fact and i just keep practising and experimenting. Dans the man with all the knowledge and know how when it comes to macro . Check out his site if you haven't already.

Thanks Clarky, the cheque's in the post.

Not sure there's anyone with 'all the knowledge' of anything to be honest, and I've only learned what I have through trial and error. What I've ended up with is my 'style' of macro shots, not necessarily any different from a thousand other's, but it's how I take them.

Whilst I agree with much of what Clarky said, I would suggest that if you were going for a bit more of an abstract look for that flower, I would have gone a lot closer in order to simplify the image. I'm all for shallow depth of field, and often use my Sigma 105 at f/2.8, but it's not at its sharpest wide open, so softer, more abstract images are the result for me. I could post a couple of examples but I don't want to hijack your post.

I don't subscribe to the point of view that with macro you must have maximum depth of field. As far as I'm concerned, as long as the critical area is in focus that's good. Many of my insect shots are taken at f/4.5 - f/8 (unless I'm using flash, in which case it's usually f/11). If the eyes are sharp and the viewpoint's carefully chosen this is, for me, as much depth of field as I need.

Not sure about your cookie pic - I think the lighting needs to be a bit more directional, and perhaps warmer, to bring out the texture and colour more.

Making me hungry though.

I and I agree with Clarky when he says "keep them coming".

Dan

Thanks both - Very good comments - greatly appreciated.

I have seen Dans fabulous page - nice one. Great inspiration.

I have only got 1 spider pic so far. - I scared it I think. Other than that - not many bugs around here - to damn cold - and it is snowing atm

.........and this one - just before it escaped under the microwave