Ok, requesting serious help on this one. I would appreciate some solid advice on sharpening this picture. I have tried USM at 85%, .5 - .8 pixel, 0 thresh and it looks like powdered sugar. Maybe I have the wrong approach?

OR is it too much to expect any more clarity for a pix whose original properties are 2816 x 2112, 180 dpi, f2.7, exp. 1/60, iso NA (tho probably 100 or 200), or was I just too plain wiggly on the macro?

Give it to me, I can take it! (but be gentle... ;] ) thanx!

To me, it looks like th leaf was a bit out of focus when you shot it.
The reason i say this is the lower right hand corner. to me it looks kind of fuzzy. but also the branch right below it also has some blur which leads me to believe that it was slightly out of focus from the get go.
Very interesting subject. I like it just wish it had more clarity.

I think you have done quite well with what you had to work with out of camera. Do you carry any kind of camera support, i.e. tripod, monopod, etc.? I recently go a walking stick at an outdoors store (REI). It has a cork ball on the top that screws off and it becomes a monopod. Very lightweight and I LOVE it.

Here's a link to the product:
www.rei.com/product/745686

Thanks for the comments - my camera has image stabilization, but I haven't done much with the macro.

Beamer, I am in the market for a good lightweight tripod; something that I can use for long exposures - I have a monopod that I haven't tried using in the field yet, so I will start experimenting with that.

I checked out the link you left, but it doesn't say anything on the site about being able to take the cork ball off? Is there an actual foot to attach the camera to, or do you just use the stick for extra stability? Thanks for your help.

On that walking stick the cork ball screws off that there is a standard threaded post to attach your camera to. If you want a "good lightweight tripod" I use a Hakuba Carbon Fiber HG-504MX - Tripod, but I replaced the pan head with a Velbon PH-145Q Pan Head. The total weight is a little less than 4 pounds. Very nice rig, comes with a sling bag for easy carrying on hikes. If I am going for a more serious hike/climb, I only take the walking stick. If I am going somewhere less strenuous mostly for photography I will carry the tripod over my shoulder.