Stellar's Jay

[Nancy Bell]

Today is my last day in my Colorado house up at 8,000 feet in the Ponderosa Forest. I have loved every minute here! The Stellar's Jay is very much part of this habitat and will be replaced by the Blue Jay in my new house in Arkansas. I go where life seems to direct me and I look forward to lots of new inspiration in Arkansas. But for the next 10 days or so I will be homeless and only on my laptop when possible.

Processed with Pixel Bender (still no replacement for this type of effect) and fractalius. I see I should crop this a bit differently so the jay is not so centered. But my computer is being packed up any moment now...

[Dennis Bishop]

I very much like the look of this -- because of both the combination of colors (including their variability in the background) and the outlining.

I hope Arkansas holds a lot of good for you.

[Jackie Schuknecht]

Love the effect Nancy. I agree the BG is beautiful, good luck and here's to more inspiration!

[Anita Bower]

Lovely work. The bird stands out with great details and color against the beautiful bg. I like the combination of dark lines and color/detail you achieved. Very nice. Looks very realistic. Love the tufts on the head! Great original image. I wish the branch was a bit darker as it stands out too much as it is. You could crop a bit if you wanted, but it looks ok to me.

What a huge change you will have moving from Colorado to Arkansas! I admire your open, positive, curious attitude. With it you will find much to enjoy in your new home.

[Diane Miller]

Very nice -- all said above. The outlining emphasizes the attitude of this bold bird. Anita's idea of darkening the perch a little would be my only suggestion.

[Steve Canuel]

A cool treatment of what I think is one of the more attractive birds in the mountain west. Good luck with your new home.

[gary ellwein]

Nancy, I like the simplicity of the image. Nice use of Fractalius. The plug-in and birds go hand in hand. The Jay is a fitting last image from 8,000 feet. May the new flora and fauna of Arkansas provide an abundance of subject material. Perhaps you will provide us with a Razorback. Wooooooo pig ! sooie

[Paul Lagasi]

These birds look so cool, love the effect you have used. I may have tried to clone out the larger branch that crosses the tail but that just my preference. Nice work. Best of luck in Arkansas, maybe next year we can go search for the Ivory-billed.....

[Kerry Perkins]

Very pretty image and great processing. Here's to new opportunities and experiences in Arkansas! There is some beautiful country there.

[Nancy Bell]

Thank you all for the good wishes. I am in Arkansas now and have to wait a week for the moving van to arrive. I'm eager to get moved in and settled.