New "leaf" on old growth of La Tuna (prickly pear) cactus. The little white puffs are waxy secretions from tiny cochineal bugs around each spine. Cochineal is a natural red dye made from drying and crushing the little bugs. It's been used for eons, including the Red Coats of the British and is still used in cosmetics. Mmmm, lipstick...rendered dead animal fat, dyed with dried bugs.
Thanks for the votes, everyone. Better than my first challenge so moving in the right direction.
In Lightzone, cropped, resized, zones remapped to darken midtones and shadows and enhance backlit highlights in new leaf. Minor sharpen. A couple clicks more saturation in green highlights. Added vignette to edges in PS Elements.
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