Ok, seems like we're on about the same page about the problem, though I have yet to see a good solution...

And yes, I do agree that @digitalis is very good at what he does. Still, close-in macro is probably the most prevalent sub-niche in the nature photography niche, so that doesn't get you very far.

And yeah, I've also dabbled (here), and with a couple of other photos I haven't posted, because I'm in no way goo enough to make it into the niche.

I suppose much of the reason he doesn't impress me altogether too much is the fact that I have a close friend who's an obsessive hobbyist photographer. (Well, less obsessive now. But still going at it. I think buying a $900 dollar camera at age 15 is pretty obsessive, don't you?) And this fellow has dragged me through the whole process. Much to my chagrin I've had to look through many of his photos and hear step-by-step explanations of the process/camera technology (which I promptly forgot.)

And since he is a very good photographer (for an amateur at least), despite frustrating me so much, he's brought me to the point where a very well taken photo just doesn't cover it for me.