the painted field
by Jutilda

Comment:
This is just sweet! The colors you layered in make it different enough to make it even more enjoyable to see.

Farm Alarm System
by Ristyz

Comment:
Superb job of making a lot out of a few.
I agree that they are a great watch-bird. That's why they have been around so long that they are one of the oldest breeds of birds still in existence. If you ever hear a flock of them go off, you never will forget that sound.
Those little spotted feathers make a good subject for abstracts if you can get close enough to one of the birds to get the shots.

Missing You
by Purple_Girl

Comment:
A smoother background, like a big sheet of construction paper, or poster board would help this. Everyone is talking about your on camera flash in your challenge images comments. You should try shooting with light coming through a window with a light curtain to diffuse the light sometime, and see how much better your indoor shots will look.
Good luck, and keep shooting. That's the way to learn the craft of photography that you are so interested in. I feel that you would get a lot more out of DPC if you can afford to become a member so that you can take advantage of the side challenges and put up a portfolio to get comments and to learn about shooting great images.

Flight.
by Quigley

Comment:
That's lovely. You got the wing flash color in both the water and on the bird.

Forster's Tern
by sfalice

Comment:
This is a nice selection of shots of this bird or birds. I have found that a monopod hooked in my belt allows me to pan easily and very smoothly when shooting flying birds like this.

Pelican Waters - Day 18
by sherpet

Comment:
Ha Ha, He's leaving skid marks!
I like your current version of this better for the color.

herons two
by tnun

Comment:
Minimal, but very pleasing composition and good sharpness and color too. Nice image.

Across The Universe
by Ivory

Comment:
This is unique, and very creative to get it to look so believable with such simple editing steps. Your technique description reminds me very much of the days of silver and chemistry photography. The image is a very nice reality bender.

Tarpon
by JuliBoc

Comment:
Whoa! That's a shot to grab some attention if you like to fish. The ol' "Silver King" is looking great in this shot.

Repetition
by MaryO

Comment:
Lines, form and color combine to make this place impressive. You've made a fine image here from start to finish. The difference in the foreground in the lower part adds quite a lot to the overall composition with the straight line from one side, and the angle line on the right.
There is a civil war fort out in the Gulf of Mexico that looks a lot like this inside the walls. It's one of my favorite places to visit.