I wonder if everyone has looked at the runner ups in the contest
and enjoyed all the pictures as much as I have in every category.
I get a lot of pleasure out of others photography...and it never makes
me jealous...it just makes me happy that they got to enjoy a beautiful
bloom or insect or landscape...I think photography ought to be
joyful and create great memories..

I couldn't agree with you more. For me there are so many kinds of joy associated with the iris experience, from watching them come out of the harsh winter and start growing, knowing that we make a small contribution to that, to the joy and wonder of seeing the first bloom, and trying to capture part of their exquisite beauty through photographs. It is an endlessly joyful experience that we can celebrate together.