Creative License Friday #2

Jill at She Who Carries Camera has started a new meme called Creative License Friday. Every week she provides a photo to play with however we please. The possibilities are endless. I am going to try to participate often because it's fun and it gets me out of my comfort zone.

This is the original image, donated by Cathy. Thank you!
I absolutely adore this image. The heart in the rock and the people in silhouette are two of the aspects that make this so awesome.

My formula in Photoshop CS3:

1) Resized the image to fit my blog (800x533).

2) Copied the original layer and auto adjusted color and levels which deepened the color.
3) Ran Pioneer Woman's "Lovely and Ethereal" action. On the Darken Things layer I painted over the rocks to make them darker. I also painted over the water to make the sheen less harsh.
4) My final thought was to add a sky, so I used the sky from my Lake Martin photo. :)

Overall I'm quite pleased. Hope it is creative enough! It certainly was fun to work on.

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Flora of Avery Island

Spanish moss hanging from an enormous live oak tree, adorned by azaleas beneath.

Wisteria.
I experimented with different angles and backgrounds. Trees and sky in background.
All wisteria shots are from the same plant.

Pointing the camera at the sky gives a cooler color temperature and different perspective.

Bamboo as a backdrop gives a warmer look.

The fine leaves and bark made the photo look too harsh at f/8, so I applied a slight gaussian blue in Photoshop.
Is it too much? I'm trying to experiment more with processing.

The trees are filling out nicely already.
Breeding platforms for nesting egrets and herons. They use the trees also, but they seem to gravitate toward the platforms.

Does algae covered water count as flora? Great egret with breeding plumage and colors.

Many thanks to the wonderful hosts of

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Courtship and a Random Act of Kindness

The brain fog lifted on Saturday, thank God. Being with Double D out in the sunshine and watching the birds was the perfect prescription. The courtship of nesting egrets was really something special. The males brought twig after twig to their mates and together they laid each stick carefully into the nest. You could see the females reacting positively and excitedly to each twig, whether big or small. With each offering she seemed to say, "Oh, that's a good one! Let's make the best nest for our family!" Ah, such love and devotion. Only an uncaring person or someone totally oblivious could not come away feeling the love.

One more thing before I start with the photos. Entering Avery Island there is a toll bridge that must be crossed first. We handed our dollar to the toll taker and he waved it away saying the car ahead of us had already paid our toll and also the car behind us. Random Act of Kindness! I know it was just a dollar, but that one simple act filled me with such joy that I couldn't wait to pay it forward. It was in the back of my mind all day and certainly started the visit to the island off on just the right foot. Later that night we dined at a local restaurant and left the waitress a substantial tip with a note to lift her spirits. I am going to do that more often!

Sunset at Lake Martin

Greetings from Cajun Country! I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend. Double D and I spent most of the day yesterday at Avery Island and Lake Martin. The highlights at Avery Island were a swallowtail kite, nesting great egrets, alligators, azaleas, and wisteria. At Lake Martin we saw more nesting egrets, roseate spoonbills, black-bellied whistling ducks, ibises, and more. We timed the trip so we could see the sunset at Lake Martin. Although the water was choppy from all the boating activity and wind, it did not disappoint. Can't wait to show you the rest of my photos. It was the most awesome day ever! Y'all have a great week!

Swamp tour boat is in the distance.

This was taken about 50 frames before the sun started to set.

Thank you Madge for hosting!

Eagle Update

The brain fog persists, but I'm persevering. Some good news: my daughter signed closing papers yesterday on her first home in Portland, OR! When I visit in May I will have a place to stay, but most importantly, I am extremely proud of my girl. She's waited a very long time for this, so we are all rejoicing with her. Love you, sweet girl!

Yesterday was also my session with Sister Cynthia. As I pulled into the parking space it was announced that the new pope had been selected. When I entered the building, everyone was filled with excitement. Too bad I felt left out, but I was happy for those celebrating.

Afterwards, I went to the levee to check on the eaglets. They are growing so fast! One of the eaglets took a test flight with a parent which I photographed, not realizing it at the time. The other eaglet pointed his booty at me and squirted a big poop in my direction! Thank goodness they are several hundred feet away. Looks like they will be leaving the nest soon.

I'm fairly certain this is the parent in the back and baby in the front.

How am I doin' mama?

You're going great, Junior! Now look ahead so you don't run into a tree!

The little song sparrow paid me a visit while I was watching the eagles. He's quite a ham.

A few backyard shots:

Female brown-headed cowbird. 

Male brown-headed cowbird

Male house finch

Sister Cynthia picked my blessing from her special book:

May God, the PHYSICIAN bless you, bringing you to wholeness and health. When you become aware of rupture or fracture in your life, may you experience the healing hand of God laid upon you and the curative power of God's love and forgiveness coursing through your veins. With and through the same touch, may you become healer for the brokenness of our world. May God the PHYSICIAN bless you.

Today and tomorrow I am working for my old boss from home, so I'll catch up when possible. Y'all have a great day and weekend!

I am linking up for the first time to Skywatch Friday! Thank you to the hosts!!!