Well the shot is out of focus, if your camera has a macro mode, use that. the flower should be the center of focus

I like the idea. But I agree with the first comment, the flower not the leaf should be your focal point.

although the flower would have been a great shot...I think the title of the picture tends to hint at the focal point being the thistles on the leaf. It is after all guarding the castle

I agree with .mapbc and .steven120. I think that the flower would have been a better subject. the lighting is cool though and the colors are good.

i tend to wonder who is right and who is just guessing as to what the main focus is in this picture but i do tend to agree with .darksynergy about the thistles on the leaf....

I agree in retrospec that the flower would have been a much better focal point. But please indulge my imagination for a moment.

The flowers at the top are a head, the leaf to the left is a right arm, the focal point is the left arm, almost like a sword bared at the camera. Don't those thistles look a bit scary :)

But thank you all for your comments, I may go back tommorow and get some better shots, weather pending.