Flycatcher in the Snow

[Paul Lagasi]

In December there was a Fork-tailed Flycatcher in Connecticut and my friend Rick Poulin and I drove from Ottawa to Hadlyme, CT to see it. After getting a coffee at the local Tim Horton's we were on the road by 4:30 am and arrived at noon. All the way down it was clear and cold but as we drove the last 20 miles or so, we found ourselves in a raging blizzard. We searched for about 15 minutes before the bird showed itself. Special thanks to Dan Rotino and family, whose directions helped us find the bird.

The Fork-tailed Flycatcher is a resident of central Mexico and what it was doing in CT, no one will ever know. But there is always one found in winter somewhere in the east.

I was going to use this as my 2013 Christmas card but way to much overtime got in the way....

It flew into this berry tree and gave me a chance to add a bit of color to the image....I used Topaz to give it that painterly look and a snowfall action added the snow.

Ciao for now.

[Cheryl Slechta]

Paul, this is just beautiful and I'm impressed by the lengths (literally) you went to that resulted in the shot. It would make a beautiful Christmas card or an Asian Theme week entry

[Dennis Bishop]

Okay, I'm convinced you're a passionate birder. I'm glad you were awarded with seeing it. And on such a wonderful perch. The reds add a great spark to the grays in the rest of the image. Adding the snow was a good touch. It looks very convincing. It's already a very nice image, but, if it were mine, I'd add some contrast to the bird's eye and a small equal amount of canvas to the top and bottom.

[Andrew McLachlan]

Hi Paul...hope you are well...beautiful image and it sure would have made a wonderful Christmas Card...the red berries add just the right amount of colour to this image. Nice one!

[Paul Lagasi]

All is well but it's only mid-January and I am totally sick of the weather, Andrew. I am just finishing up a Big Birding Year then I'll be back in the swing of things. I've been enjoying your blog and Landscape Images, also I see congrats are in order ... your a moderator now, cool. Thanks for comment.

Dennis, I'll revisit and add a bit of canvas and see how it looks from there, thank you

Cheryl...yes lengths, 7 hours down, got the photo and then 7 hours home. I keep telling myself I'm not going to do that anymore but the birds seems to call me.....lolol

[Dan Brown]

Awesome, Paul! Great bird! Very Asian, needs a chop!

[Nancy Bell]

Congrats on seeing this southern flycatcher and getting such a fabulous image, and in the snow, no less! Lovely composition with the bird facing the branches, a very nicely shaped perch and those nice red berries. I agree with adding a bit of space at least above the bird. Well done and how wonderful you easily found the bird after so much driving.

[Jackie Schuknecht]

I like it Paul. I like your comp and the reds add a lot of interest. I think Dennis makes some valid points.

[Dan Brown]

I like this one for many reasons, so I had to play! In the repost, I added Dennis's changes plus. I used liquify to curve the main perch and a few of the very straight branches, added calligraphy (friendship) and overall contrast to the piece. Great work, Paul!

[Paul Lagasi]

Sweet..Very cool Dan, the preparation for my trip has kept me from making the changes...love it

[Judy Howle]

Lovely composition and the red berries really make it pop. Your snow looks very realistic. I like what Dan did with it as I thought the contrast could be boosted a bit.

[Anita Bower]

A lovely composition. Love the bird's position, with the lovely long tail. And, the branch gracefully angling downward. The red berries with snow are a nice touch of color. I like the processing you did. I like the added canvas done by Dan. Beautiful work! Maybe you can use it for next year's card.

[Rick Poulin]

Great photo and great memories. Thnks for the trip Paul.

We were fortunate the bird landed in the berry tree providing some great shots.

[Diane Miller]

What an awesome image!! You were very well-rewarded for your very long drive.

I'm wondering how it would compare with just a little more contrast (or maybe Structure) on the bird.

I agree with adding a little more room top and bottom. And as to a Christmas card, I think you'll have another opportunity later this year. That's about how much lead time I need for things like that.

[Dan Brown]

What an awesome image!! You were very well-rewarded for your very long drive.

I'm wondering how it would compare with just a little more contrast (or maybe Structure) on the bird.

I agree with adding a little more room top and bottom. And as to a Christmas card, I think you'll have another opportunity later this year. That's about how much lead time I need for things like that.

Diane, check out my repost in pane #9 here. I attempted to do those edits plus bending some of the super striaght branches and twigs.

[Diane Miller]

Yes, I meant to say the extended canvas in the RP looks good to me. I'd still play with some more structure on the bird, if it were me, but the flatter look does fit with the overall Oriental theme. It could be taken for a lovely painting by a Japanese master.