This isn't too bad HHRC, but for me the thing that struck me on first sight was the focusing. For an image to work like this, it needs to be sharp enough to make your eyes bleed or else it goes all soft and mushy, especially with the BG you have there.
I know it is probably entirely coincidental but the point that I don't like in the BG is at the bottom of the stem where it actually changes colour either side. This makes it look a bit artificial and I wonder whether you have been a bit heavy-handed with the burn tool as the yellow area of the sky looks a bit 'smudgy' (yes, it's a word, I'm an English teacher so I'm allowed to make them up
)
Good attempt but set to work on getting that focusing tack sharp and don't give up.... I'm expecting to see further experiments
Cheers,
Rob