Sunrise Landing

[Paul Lagasi]

I went to the Colusa NWR on my recent trip out west, I was accompanied by Dan Brown to search for the Falcated Duck. It was a short stay but we did manage a few minutes with Diane Miller. Photographing incoming birds from the viewing platform is amazing in the morning sun, it is perfectly placed.

I was away from home for 14 days and saw over 200 species, 14 were Life Birds. Dan helped me to get Oak Titmouse, Thayer's Gull, Western Screech Owl and Nuttalls Woodpecker. I may have been able to find them if I had a week but Dan knew the spots and we covered them all in one day.

The image below of a lovely dark phased Snow Goose was taken that morning, its not a new bird but **** its a lovely one. I processed it with Topaz Spicify and then gave it an oil effect with Fotosketcher.

Thanks to Dan Brown for a great day. Was lovely meeting up with Diane, hope you got some great photos.

It will take me a while to process the 1600 images I took but I'll be updating my blog soon.

[Dennis Bishop]

Sounds like you had a good trip. I like the composition and color combination you've got, here. To make the goose stand out more, I'd be inclined to maybe back off the orange in the background but definitely the cyan because it really draws my eye away. You caught the goose in a great pose.

[Nancy Bell]

Great capture of the goose coming in for a landing with the wings pulled way back! I also really like the texture in the bkgd, from Fotosketcher. I agree with Dennis about less saturation in the oranges and blues of the bkgd. They are beautiful, but greatly compete with the goose. Big time congrats on the life birds and life photos from your trip!

[Dan Brown]

I remember this guy, Paul! Love it! Art is in the eye of the beholder and I like the complimentary colors here (blue water and orange in the bg). We sure had a great day, lets do it again and spend a couple more days here is NoCal!

[Diane Miller]

I'm just on my iPhone till this evening, as we're on the road now, trying to get to the Lower Rio Grande Valley in a small plane and waiting out weather. (I may get to shoot a few birds there and on east along the Gulf Coast, weather willing.)

That goose was awesome and I love what you did with it! It was great getting to meet you both and that was a wonderful morning for light and subjects.

If you want Oak Titmice I can send you a box of them. Or stop at our place on your next trip. Did you find Mountain Quail? The local bird e-group has reported them at another location near us.

I haven't posted any from Colusa yet but did learn what a Butter Butt is later up at Willows.

[Cheryl Slechta]

Hi, Paul, I'm glad your trip was a success! I love this image just the way it is. The lighting is absolutely gorgeous and I like the bright complimentary colors. Sounds like you and Dan and Diane had fun

[Jackie Schuknecht]

Love the landing pose and the red feet. I am in agreement about desaturating the BG too. Sounds like a very fruitful trip.