Kip’s Comments - January 22, 2025

Eyes and Art

During the winter months opportunities to photograph wildlife are far fewer than during warm weather months. When wildlife is present, the species are generally common since the more unusual animals moved on long ago during the migration.

Today I was able to find and photograph a couple of wildlife species and both were ordinary. In a tree I found a cooperative red-tailed hawk and in the timber was a whitetail deer trying to be invisible. This doe was one of many, so its family gave it away.

In both images the eyes are riveting.

Red-tailed Hawk - Image 939414

Whitetail Deer in Timber in Winter - Image 939424

While I did not see its eyes, this beaver’s work was very evident.

Beaver Dam in Winter - Image 939363

Along my travels I crossed this railroad track and notice how the tracks led on to infinity with woody growth on both sides. Unaltered the composition did not work for me due to today’s drab sky. By editing the photo I was able to render an artistic version.

Railroad Tracks in Winter - Image 939400

As I was working the image and studying the leading lines of the rails I thought how they might contribute to a nice “twirl” type image. Not only did I twirl the image, but I worked with levels and color saturation. No slider was off limit. By the way, my base image for this was the color version of the railroad tracks.

Railroad Tracks in Winter - Image 939400 twirl

Finally, so far this winter the typical locations for hosting a saw-whet owl have been a bust. Earlier this winter, in a different location in one of my travels, I did find one saw-whet owl. For the privacy and protection of the owl I will not be sharing the location. I am not trying to be rude or snobbish. I only want the owl to have ample quiet time to survive the challenges of winter.

Saw-whet Owl - Image 938485