Pelican at sunset

Looking for a suitable image for this week's theme, I found this pelican image taken few years ago. It was taken late in the day with setting sun. There were a group of pelicans settling down for the night, I guess. I used Topaz Remask2 to extract this one bird along with the rock and the water bg. Applied Topaz Simplify on another layer and changed opacity. Then used a layer mask to bring back the bill and the eye. Also, desaturated the bill a bit. Finally applied usm for the web version. Hope you like it.

Indranil, The treatment looks nice and I especially like the pose.:)

What a serene moment, Indranil! I might suggest lightening the yellow cast just a tiny bit so the feathers have more of a natural look to them - but don't take out ALL that beautiful sun.

Denise, Julie, thanks. Here is a repost with reduced yellow cast...

I like that much better, Indranil. You still can tell it's sunrise but it's not leaving the bird feathers feeling "dirty." Lovely image!

Indranil, the lighting is beautiful, especially in the repost. I love the pose - he does look like he's settling in for the night.:)

Thanks Julie, Cheryl.

Julie, this is sunset and that was one of the reason those whites looked almost orange.

Indranil, beautiful image - agree that sunset can turn the whites orange - or pink!! :eek:
Best,
Nicki