JonMikal, Photo gal, thank you very much for you comments.
JonK, thanks you for your comment and critique. I agree, I'll try to spend more time on the composition next time, and double check it before snapping.
My gear was a pentax MX with a macrobellow and a 28-85 zoom @ 85. I guess its the zoom that gives it the kind of soft look.
The spiral effect in the second is wonderful. Would have worked fine if in that case the centre of the flower would have been smack in the centre of the photo, too!