I didn't post this picture because it's such a good photo.
The fact is my good friend Robin Reid and I shared a meal today,
and he lent (loaned?) me his 100 mm macro lens so I could try it out.

I snuck up on a Bird of Paradise in his front yard, discovered how
narrow the DOF actually is on a macro lens, and just for fun focused
on the back of the flower, as you see here. I had no idea the
background would become black (it was actually green shrubbery). I
was stunned when I saw the image on the computer screen for the first time.

I instantly saw the possibilities. A whole new world out there to
photograph... Woohoo! Anyway, the bottom line is: I LOVE THIS LENS!

Unfortunately, despite the fact that my birthday looms ahead, Mr. Reid
made me give it back to him before I left for home. Sigh. Perhaps
you can urge him to change his mind. :-)