How to taken great close-up photos of creatures?

[OpRiding]

I'm a canon a70 user and I've been experimenting on how to take beautiful close-up shots of creatures.I have seen other user's photos and the subject always looks sharp,focused and really close-up.Problem is,I can't get too close to my subject or else the image would appear really blur,I can't zoom in too or else the same thing occurs.I've heard of adaptors and close-up filters but I don't know anything about them,can some expert or person knowledgeable in this area please give me some help?

Here's my best shot so far:

 

[AReality]

U'll need an adaptor
& also a +4 closeup filter.

Someone selling them...
http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=54618

 

[OpRiding]

U'll need an adaptor
& also a +4 closeup filter.

Someone selling them...
http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=54618

Could you explain what's the purpose of the closeup filter and why there's the +4 there?

 

[tangoninazero]

Perharps this can help
http://www.thkphoto.com/products/hoya/oef-12.html

 

[OpRiding]

Wow,thanks fellas,now I'm not confused over the close-up filet anymore,thanks!