White-Winged Ptarmigan

[Paul Lagasi]

When I saw this theme I knew right away, this image was perfect for it. Getting everyone into the spirit of Camo......

I trekked for 12 hours up into the Chapparell Mountains in British Columbia for a chance to photograph this bird. Halfway through my trek, which was steady uphill grind for 6 hours and not seeing a thing (lugging my camera equipment and monopod all the way)...
Believe it or not I hit what I thought was moss, with my toe.
It was only when the moss started to move I realized, I'd almost stepped on the bird I was looking for. :confused:

Cropped image, made two layers one original and one using cutout filter..blended them using opacity and fill then copied the original eye back in. Framed, sized

Only color I wanted was the red over the eye, and a bit of green moss....
Thanks for looking

[Dan Brown]

Good treatment to highlight the criptic plumage of the ptarmigan Paul! Love the story, I'm glad you didn't squish the bird!

[denise ippolito]

Paul, This image is perfect for the theme! Great way to start us off. I have to start digging through my files to find something. Well done.:)Glad you didn't step on it too.

[Cheryl Slechta]

Paul, great way to start off the theme! I really like the story and am glad you didn't squish your subject:) It is not only camoflaged but the cut-out treatment really turned the bg into "camo".

[Andrew McLachlan]

Hi Paul,

Nicely done!

[Indranil Sircar]

Beautiful composition, Paul. Great way to get us started as well as for the find. Very nice image and treatment. Thanks for sharing the story.

[Steve Adkins]

Great story, Paul. Nice job with the process, eye and camo effect. Perfect theme image and presentation. :)

[Kerry Perkins]

Perfect. Haha, first time I've used the mugs. :D

[Christopher Miller]

Very nice, Paul! Perfect example of camouflage. I love how the cutout filter gave it a camo look. Well done! :)