Photos of the Week - Week 51

Critique Group Challenge: 

Week 51, Its a Gift

Photo by Gail Garber

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Gail says: 

The Gift of Life! Little did any of us know what was in store on Friday, December 22. When a New Mexico birder, Leslie Harrington Duffey, used the outhouse at the Ladd S. Gordon Waterfowl Complex. Something in the pit of the toilet caused her to look downward, where she saw an owl, trapped in the toxic excrement below. She sounded the alert, posting on the Birding New Mexico Facebook page, and frantically trying to find someone at the refuge who could help free the trapped owl (still of unknown species). It wasn't long before our Raptor Rescue hotline got the call and began working to solve the problem of the owl trapped in toxic toilet water. Management went out to inspect the toilet and reported that the stall was empty, upon which our dispatcher went ballistic and informed them that the owl was in the pit below, not the toilet! They returned and managed to free the owl from it's toxic grave. Covered in excrement, cold and wet, Chellye Porter set out to retrieve the owl the instant they told her they had captured it.

With the owl, now identified as a Barn Owl, probably male, now in her care, we could not put him into the incubator, because the air circulation could cause him to inhale toxins from the bacterial soup in which he had been trapped for an unknown time. Extremely thin, extremely cold, and in critical condition, his survival was tremulous. We administered subcutaneous fluids, antibiotics, pain meds, and put him in the warmest, sunniest room in her house. He was not stable enough to endure anything more. However, we had to get the crap off of him before he began feeling well enough to try to clean his feathers himself and ingested the toxins.

Yesterday afternoon, little owl was a little stronger and we made the plan to try to wash him using standard protocol for cleaning oiled birds, using Dawn Dishwashing Liquid (the go to detergent for cleaning oiled birds and wildlife). With multiple tubs and human hands he was passed from tub to tub, each one cleaner than previous. It was quick work as excrement is easier to remove than oil!

Then, the drying began, hence this photo of him in a chamber with warm air blowing on him, much like an old-fashioned hair dryer. Still his body temperature dropped so low that it did not register on the thermometer. Finally, we packed him in a smallish box, wrapped in warm towels and placed on a portable pet heating pad for the drive home.

Today, all dried off, and beginning to look and feel like the Barn Owl that he formerly was, he's beginning to show threat displays toward Chellye, his angel in waiting and nurse extraordinaire!

Our next hurdle will happen tomorrow when we attempt to offer him his first solid food after days of liquid diet.

I've been posting about this on my Facebook and Instagram pages, including multiple photos from his first arrival.

It is a Christmas Miracle

That someone found him in the pit
That management was able to free him
That he is a a fighter, denying death every step of the way
That we have an amazng network of veterinarians and animal hospitals that donate their time, expertise and equipment.
That we established the Raptor Rescue hotline back in 2013, so that there is a phone number to call!

I was thinking that I wouldn't have a submission this week. I've missed many lately due to too much travel and too much work.

52-Week Photo Challenge Class
Week 51 - Light Painting

Week 52 Photo Challenge:

Week 51, Light Painting

Photo by Elspeth Davis

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Elspeth  says:  

Smart Phone Photo Challenges
Week 51 - Candlelight

Smart Phone Challenge:

Week 51, Candlelight

Photo by Margie Clark

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Margie says: 

Candlelight playing with the petals and leaves of the poinsettia against the magical background of decorative lights in my backyard with a butterfly entering the scene. Photo taken in Portrait mode, Stage Light.

Smart Phone Challenge:

Week 51, Candlelight

Photo by Ricky Tims

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Ricky says:

The candle was on a ledge with this vase and twigs. I like the simple compotision, but also the various textrues - wall, vase, twigs. The purple is the color of the jar, so it cast onto the wall.

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Critique Group Challenge:

Week 51, Its a Gift

Photo by Ricky Tims
from the 2023 Critique Group

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Ricky says:

Shot Dec 23 looking out my studio window. it might be tiring for others to see images of this rock formation (Autumn Rock), for me, it's magical. It's the sole reason I purchased this property in 2002. For me it is sacred, energizing, spiritual, and emotional. The views from the house change minute by minute. I never tire of seeing what is outside. The weather changes moods and brings drama. During this week's challeng, a morning with beautiful filtered light, and a gentle shaft of light illuminated Autumn Rock long enough for me to grab my camera and get this shot. The lovely orange are the oaks that have returned sint the fire, but are now dormant. The few surviving evergreens are regal and I am fortunate that this little group was spared. The delicate snow is fresh, and provides extra beauty on the landscape. All of this... to me... is a gift. I will leave it behind someday soon, but will treasure each moment I was lucky enough to call this home.

Photos of the Week - Week 50

Critique Group Challenge: 

Week 50, Half And Half

Photo by Lois Bennett

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Lois says: 

I photographed a leaf and then changed the background, created a layer in PS, converted to b&w, and used inverse to reverse the colors of the main subject and background and then erased parts to give this image. I then added a border.

52-Week Photo Challenge Class
Week 50 - Light Painting

Week 52 Photo Challenge:

Week 50, Light Painting

Photo by Elspeth Davis

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Elspeth  says:  

Smart Phone Photo Challenges
Week 50 - Rudolf

Smart Phone Challenge:

Week 50, Rudolf

Photo by Cate Armstrong

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Cate says: 

"Then one foggy eve…"

Smart Phone Challenge:

Week 50, Rudolf

Photo by Ricky Tims

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Ricky says:

I went with the works Shiny as in had a very shiny nose. This is reflection in the front door side lights with the tree lights.

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Critique Group Challenge:

Week 50, Half And Half

Photo by Ricky Tims
from the 2023 Critique Group

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Ricky says:

I went with something silly - I didnt' have Oreo's which was my first inclination (don't ask, it was probably not the best idea). For this I made selections of half leaves and placed them on a separate layer. The selection was filled with purple. - then blending (to retain the veins), the purple turned yellow-ish. That top layer was slightly burred to allow for smoothing. No filters - Flattened and saved.

Photos of the Week - Week 49

Critique Group Challenge: 

Week 49, Self Portrait

Photo by Clark Poppleton

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Clark says: 

First off, I'm not a big fan of this challenge because I'm not one to take a lot of portraits, much less selfies. Second, as you can see, my little buddy just has to steal the show any chance he gets.

52-Week Photo Challenge Class
Week 49 - Self Portrait

Week 52 Photo Challenge:

Week 49, Self Portrait

Photo by Debbie Huewe

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Debbie says:  

Smart Phone Photo Challenges
Week 49 - Self Portrait

Smart Phone Challenge:

Week 49, Self Portrait

Photo by Allison Haggarty

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Allison says: 

Critique Group Challenge:

Week 49, Self Portrait

Photo by Ricky Tims
from the 2023 Critique Group Challenge

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Ricky says: 

This is a montage of one of my dad's quilts (as that is what I've been working on a lot lately), and me. Maybe it is a metaphor to visually show that part of him is inside me.

Photos of the Week - Week 48

Critique Group Challenge: 

Week 48, Shadow Play

Photo by Chris Maher

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Chris says: 

When I saw the challenge, my first thought was to go to Longwood Gardens at night to capture the shadows generated by this contraption - not sure what they call it. To be clear, the pattern on the ground are shadows generated by the light inside the structure. On Monday night I went over to the gardens. I got there around 7:15 and stayed until 9:30. I started and ended my time at this spot. There were far less people in my way later in the evening. I ended the evening talking photos while walking around the structure and put together a Pep Ventosa version as well, but I chose this shot as I liked it the best for showing off the pattern of shadows.

52-Week Photo Challenge Class
Week 48 - HDR

Week 52 Photo Challenge:

Week 48, HDR

Photo by Cheryl Franklin

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Cheryl  says:  

Smart Phone Photo Challenges
Week 48 - Wooden

Smart Phone Challenge:

Week 48, Wooden

Photo by Wendy Browne

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Wendy says: 

Bark of a London Plane Tree.

Smart Phone Challenge:

Week 48, Wooden

Photo by Ricky Tims

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Ricky says:

This is a little jewelry chest I got in high school - it's lost in clasp (you can see), I used the Blossom filter in Prisma but pulled it way back so just a hint.

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Critique Group Challenge:

Week 48, Shadow Play

Photo by Ricky Tims
from the 2023 Critique Group

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Ricky says:

A flashlight - a chair back, the floor, and a rug. I liked the abstract vibe. The red is from our red lamp light bulb - not manipulated.

Photos of the Week - Week 47

Critique Group Challenge: 

Week 47, Colors Of November

Photo by Carol Freda

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Carol says: 

In November, the lines and shapes of barren trees and foliage stand out against muted yellows, blues, and browns. A stark contrast to the October’s burst of orange, red, and yellow hues.

52-Week Photo Challenge Class
Week 47 - Color Scheme

Week 52 Photo Challenge:

Week 47, Color Scheme

Photo by Olivia Edwards

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Olivia says:  

Smart Phone Photo Challenges
Week 47 - Stripes

Smart Phone Challenge:

Week 47, Stripes

Photo by Virginia Knab

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Virginia says: