Last Few Chances

[Paul Lagasi]

This past Monday I went to Algonquin Provincial Park, I usually go a few times a year. It was a gorgeous spring day, 8C (38.5F). Not many birds were around but the ones that were put on a great show for the lens.

On the drive home we stopped by a local spot, where 2 Great Gray Owls had been seen. We hoped they would still be there, it won't be long now and they'll move on to their breeding grounds. We got there after dark but because of the full moon it was fairly easy to spot the owls.

This image is a result of many handheld attempts (I still dislike using a tripod).

I used the Curley Smooth, Topaz Clean effect on it. Then I used fotosketcher oil painting effect. Turned out pretty cool. Thanks for looking.

My images from Algonquin Park are viewable at my blog.

[Nancy Bell]

I love the effect of the moon and the play of the blue and white in the bkgd, highlighting the owl with a surreal feeling, that is perfect for owls and full moons! The gray, ghostly branches add to the effect. And the staring yellow eyes complete the image perfectly. I am envious of your access to owls.

[Anita Bower]

The owl, branches and moon make a fabulous combination! What could be better than owls and moon. Excellent composition. Could the branches and owl be made to look less flat? I visited your blog and enjoyed the photos there--especially the fox. If you manage to get these excellent shots without a tripod, why bother with one? I envy you. I'm so unsteady I need a tripod for nearly everything.

[Cheryl Slechta]

Paul, this works perfectly for the image. I think you could also crop from the bottom a little below the fork in the right limb. It would put the owl in the center but the moon off-center in a nice spot. How lucky you are to see so many owls (of course I know you put a lot of effort into finding them so it's not really luck) But at least they are there if you look hard enough.

[Mark Fuge]

Nice image and application, Paul.

Nice effect with the moon and owl. Interesting that you got the owl lighted that well with the moon behind and not knock out the moon.

[Paul Lagasi]

Ah, my friend Mark, CS5 can do wonderful things, it can mask out a subject and then amazingly bring out details, just by sliding a bar to the right....details which were produced by ambient light from the snow. The D3s has a truly amazing image sensor.