The Sage Thrash image was captured last week during a visit to City of Rocks Nat. Reserve. The Reserve is in south central Idaho near the Utah border. In addition to great rock climbing and scenery, the area offers good birding for species occupying the arid sage and juniper ecosystem. The original image was less than ideal with harsh side lighting and a poor bg. My choice of a brown texture bg reflects the current transition of our range land from green to brown. For the last two weeks we have been 15 degrees above normal with temps pushing triple digits. A selective light application of Fractalius and poster edge brought out a bit of detail in the bird.


