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Doyle D. Chastain
{K:101119} 1/11/2007
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Interesting thought Sally . . . but the color, I think, came from the eye itself . . . I wonder if NO color, i.e. white, would have been better. I could have adjusted that in PS I suppose. At any rate . . . I like it and I shoot for me . . . so it's still a winner!! Thanks for the comment . . . it's very nice! :)
Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
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Doyle D. Chastain
{K:101119} 1/11/2007
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Thanks Erland! :)
Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
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Doyle D. Chastain
{K:101119} 1/11/2007
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Thanks Pradnya!! :)
Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
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Sally Morgan
{K:9219} 1/5/2007
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Interesting subject, and a lovely sharp shot.
I've been reading the comments about the star filter - rightly or wrongly, it will make this photo stick in my mind - I think if it were yellow instead of purple it would have caused less debate.
I'm just totally blown away by the fact that you put a star filter on your macro lens to get a twinkle in your monitor's eye - it's something I would never have thought of!
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Erland Pillegaard
{K:34147} 1/4/2007
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It is good,I like it very mush
erland
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Pradnya D
{K:3875} 12/30/2006
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excellent shot of a sparkling eye..
wonderful...!
-Pradnya
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Doyle D. Chastain
{K:101119} 12/2/2006
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Thanks very much Antonio! :)
Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
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António Pires
{K:328} 12/1/2006
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Amazing photo and a nice gallery.
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Doyle D. Chastain
{K:101119} 11/27/2006
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Annemette. Dear Annemette. You sound very much like Marlyce. Animal lover extraordinaire. She'd have a sea lion . . . uhhhhh . . . never mind. You know what I mean! Is Asger a veterinarian? Ooooooh. Anyway thanks for the comment and the interesting image of you surrounded by ravenous lizards! Clearly before the camera came along! :)
Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
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Doyle D. Chastain
{K:101119} 11/27/2006
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Thanks John and I agree with you on the preference. They really aren't that high maintenance . . . if you have a good housing setup . . . toss in a rat or some other prey on ocassion. Very interesting creatures though!
Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
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Doyle D. Chastain
{K:101119} 11/27/2006
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Thanks very much Dear Mary and I hope all is well with you! :)
Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
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Annemette Rosenborg Eriksen
{K:55244} 11/26/2006
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Well, I can tell you that when I was on Grand Canary Island, I was stunned to see the huge lizzardreptiles. They looked like small varanas(donīt know if thatīs the word for them). I went to a certain place with bushes everyday to enjoy the sun and read, and I started feeding them. In the beginning theyīre nervous and fast to hide, but after some days the came out when I approached the bushes and didnīt hide. They did hide when other people passed the trees and bushes, but they knew me. One day there were about 14-15 of them coming out from the bushes approaching me rather fast because I was feeding them. Then I did get a bit scared! I was really surrounded by reptiles, and my vethusband had warned me about their infectious bites. I threw the bag with food on the ground and got up, but nevertheless I continued feeding them the rest of the vacation:-))Amazing creatures with so fascinating movements! Cuties!
Best wishes,
Annemette
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john conway
{K:1751} 11/26/2006
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these monitors sound like they are high maintenance Doyle. (Followed the link you posted).
Definitely a twinkle in his eye, suppose everything looks like food to him. :)
Think I prefer this one with the eye and the edge of the scales in focus.
regards
John
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Mary Slade
{K:40338} 11/25/2006
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Stunning image! So close! And the title and sparkle great idea. Definitely hint at a two way relationship and vision!
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Doyle D. Chastain
{K:101119} 11/24/2006
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Thanks Andree!
Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
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Doyle D. Chastain
{K:101119} 11/24/2006
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LoL! Thanks Ray . . . and yes . . . In fact I consider it a given fact that the ONLY thing that tastes better than chicken to this guy is my fingers . . . or any other part he might grab . . . (like wrist, etc.)! Appreciate you comments as always!
Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
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Doyle D. Chastain
{K:101119} 11/24/2006
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Thanks Marian!!! :)
Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
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Doyle D. Chastain
{K:101119} 11/24/2006
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Thanks very much Juan!! :)
Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
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andree lerat
{K:17476} 11/24/2006
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Perfect capture Doyle. :) Andree
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stingRay pt.4 .
{K:250401} 11/24/2006
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Oh boy.....I wouldn't let this creature anywhere near my fingers my dear friend. I take it that this is a resident of yours Doyle and that feeding chicken is a regular occurrence. You do know that many of God's creatures cannot tell the difference between chicken and human fingers, don't you?:)   Well done my good friend the details are excellent and the colourtones beautiful. My very best wishes to you as always....Ray:)
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Marian Man
{K:80636} 11/23/2006
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wow!!! great shot dear Doyle!!!!! wonderful details!!!! well done
all the best
Marian
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Juan Gonzalo Marcano Prieto
{K:14254} 11/23/2006
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nice macro, excellent
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Doyle D. Chastain
{K:101119} 11/23/2006
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Thanks Nessa . . . you and I seem to be in the minority about the twinkle . . . :)
Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
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vanessa shakesheff
{K:68840} 11/23/2006
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Loved the about ..not sure i would be as brave as you ..love the detail and colour plus the twinkle in his eye..nessa
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Doyle D. Chastain
{K:101119} 11/22/2006
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Thamks very much Riham! :)
Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
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Doyle D. Chastain
{K:101119} 11/22/2006
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Thanks very much Alan!
Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
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Doyle D. Chastain
{K:101119} 11/22/2006
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Thanks Lisa . . . and I don't put a lot of trust in his self restraint. ;)
Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
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Riham Essam
{K:4931} 11/22/2006
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WooOooooWwwww
Amazing shot Well
taken ...Congrats
Best Regards,
Riham Essam
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Alan Shaffer
{K:5873} 11/22/2006
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Very cool Doyle!
-Al
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So Cal Photograhper
{K:18529} 11/22/2006
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My guess is that he thinks you yourself might taste like chicken too (lol).
Wow his eye looks really scarry with all those different rings of color. I like the use of the star filter as it gives his pupil some depth.
Love all the detail in the are surrounding his eye.
Lisa
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Shirley D. Cross-Taylor
{K:174133} 11/22/2006
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So true, Doyle!:)
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Doyle D. Chastain
{K:101119} 11/22/2006
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And all kinds of interesting friends to Shirley! ;) No better way to enjoy all of God's gifts!
Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
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Doyle D. Chastain
{K:101119} 11/22/2006
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No problem Robin . . . love hearing from you even when you're wrong (not that you are) . . . errrrr . . . or following along with the crowd . . . uhhhh . . . I mean . . . it appears that your observation about the 'twinkle' is uhhhhhh . . . well . . . ok . . . I'll just SAY it . . . you're probably right! ( * sigh * ). There, that wasn't so hard (thanks to the modifying adverb 'probably'). I DO have second thoughts about employing that darn filter now. And here I thought it was sooooo wise at the time. Now Hugo has alluded to that being a cause for the diffusion of clarity at the perimeter of the composition....something I was unaware of! LoL! Hope you're feeling well my friend! Oh - I forgot! All this verbiage may have given you a headache. Allow me to summarize:
You MAY be right.
Filter MAY be wrong.
Filter MAY have caused fuzzy spots.
Lizard finds YOU lovely too!
:)
Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
ok - Stupid Twinkle :( Gotta buy me a box of "Twinkle B Gone"
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Shirley D. Cross-Taylor
{K:174133} 11/22/2006
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Wow...hard to add anything to all the fine and interesting comments. I do find the photo wonderful, and all of the information fascinating. You do have all kinds of interesting creatures!
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Doyle D. Chastain
{K:101119} 11/22/2006
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HUGO!
Uhhhhh . . . the name's familiar . . . hmmmmmm . . . LoL! Ok, just giving you a hard time but I do know you've been busy and missed around here. Been busy of late myself!
Ok . . . I'm wondering about the star filter which has been commented about a few times. Clearly it's not popular to some people. Now, of course, I have second thoughts about employing it. I have no problem with artistic differences of opinion and I do like to hear them but you have added a new dimension to it. ". . . they fade to becoming peripheral because of the star filter . . ." At this point, allow me to add my own comment, "Huh?" I wasn't aware this would be an issue with this filter. Will this filter cause issues like this in other uses? Of what use is a cross filter -- if any at all -- if the trade-off is focal clarity . . . especially when needed? Or is this issue due to the macro shot and not an issue for a (for example) Christmas portrait with sparkling tree lights.
Thanks so much for the stop by and comment Hugo . . . Always both welcome and appreciated!
Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
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Robin W
{K:16308} 11/22/2006
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Birds and puppies and lizards...oh my!
Great close up of your ummm...lovely, yeah lovely, pet Doyle. Excellent clarity at the pof my friend...just not sure about the pink twinkle...as always, said in the nicest possible way! ;)
Take care...Robin
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Doyle D. Chastain
{K:101119} 11/22/2006
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Riny, mijn goede vriend! Ik begrijp. Uw Nederlands gezegde is een wijs een. Het werkt zeker voor dit dier!
Altijd goed om van u te horen,
Doyle I <~~~~~
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Riny Koopman
{K:102911} 11/22/2006
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Goedenavond Doyle,Het Nederlandse spreekwoord zegt; Dat is geen dier om zonder handschoenen aan te pakken (of aan te tasten),ik hoop dat je het begrijpt..fijne avond mijn grote vriend..riny
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Hugo de Wolf
{K:185110} 11/22/2006
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Hi Doyle,
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder - nice touch in your about! Good shot, crisp, clean and lots of details. In all fairness, they fade to becoming peripheral because of the starfilter, and quite frankly, I don't really see the added value of that filter with such a shot. Nevertheless, you handled it well - exposure, flash, the works are prettyt well balanced. Nice shot.
Cheers,
Hugo
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Doyle D. Chastain
{K:101119} 11/22/2006
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Hi Michele!
You're absolutely correct about this guy not being a good mix for the grandkids. Luckily, I have built a habitat for him that is large enough for him to have to hunt for his food, with a pond and some wood branches . . . Heat lights and hollow half logs . . . 8 feet long and four wide . . . with Plexiglass along the face so the kids (and one curious dog) can watch all the action. The requirements are handled and the guy is safe and the kids too. It IS a difficult shot though . . . since they're strong and very fast! And I went in through the top for the shot since the plexiglass would have been an impossible border for this one . . . and would have had distortion and glare too. I think I'm the only one who handles hims now. Apparently Marlyce is smarter than me in some ways!! :P
Happy Thanksgiving to You too!
Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
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Doyle D. Chastain
{K:101119} 11/22/2006
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Hi Jan (and thanks for the comment)!
Some monitors can get up to nine feet long but the Savannah Monitor tops at about 5 feet long. My daughter had one about that size they had to give up to a more appropriate home . . . But this guy is only about 2 and a half feet long so far. They are more than happy to bite the hand that feeds them . . . but can be very mellow if well-fed and held often. They are also very VERY strong!
Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
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Doyle D. Chastain
{K:101119} 11/22/2006
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Thanks very much Linda!! The Monitor is a very large and often aggressive lizard. They're also quick . . . and can strike as fast as a snake. The scales are essentially armor plating and I have seen him take a large rat down in a struggle without a single scratch. They hunt and are omnivorous (meat and plant eaters). I added a link to the 'about' section for people to get more info if they wish . . . some monitors can grow to nine feet long . . . this one will max out at 4 and a half to five feet long.
Thanks very much for the comment . . . I certainly appreciate it!
Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
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Michele Carlsen
{K:146013} 11/22/2006
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Hi Doyle , Woooo!
Spooky looking reptile here but what an interesting image !
The eye of course is super intense and the purple star-lite in it adds a touch of mystery to this baby(?) < well he is still growing ...
I am not too comfortable with reptiles myself but find this an interesting image ..
His skin has great tones, and scaley looking textures. I also appreciated your 'info' on this reptile...
Is there any reason to fear him ...like with your grand-kids ?????
Nice composition and crop! I learned about another new reptile too !!
Thanks for sharing !
Happy Thanksgiving,
Michele~
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Doyle D. Chastain
{K:101119} 11/22/2006
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Thanks Joggie . . . almost exactly what I had in mind. The Beauty in the Eye of the Beholder title (suggested by my lovely wife) was perfect . . . as we gazed at each other . . . what do we see and what does he see? Some see the scary monster . . . but I imagine he sees a potential meal . . . hence the gleam in his eye! I suspect we appear more attractive to him than he does to many, though not all, of the people! :)
Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
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Doyle D. Chastain
{K:101119} 11/22/2006
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Thanks Annemette! You're a lot like Marlyce! But even she keeps her distance now and even I feel nervous getting too close. These lizards can grow up to five feet long and move very quick. (I added an information link to the about section). I think they're fascinating prehistoric-like creatures . . . a feeling I get with all reptiles. And of course . . . I always appreciate your comments! ;)
Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
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Doyle D. Chastain
{K:101119} 11/22/2006
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Thanks Raquel . . . appreciate the comment . . . hmmmmm . . . something to consider! That's what I love about this site . . . feedback on details!
Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
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Doyle D. Chastain
{K:101119} 11/22/2006
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Thanks Terry! You're quite right - he's an equal opportunity muncher . . . and it's surprising how fast they can move . . . having watched his as a predator hunting rats . . . I know! Surprisingly alert too. :~)
Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
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Doyle D. Chastain
{K:101119} 11/22/2006
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Thanks very much James! :)
Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
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Jan Hoffman
{K:39467} 11/22/2006
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Outstanding capture, Doyle. The star filter really enhances the eye, giving it the "stellar" gleam. He probably thinks you are in your entirety one big chicken, waiting to be eaten. Over time I think they get pretty big. Sleep with one eye open.
--Best regards, Jan
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Linda Imagefree
{K:72276} 11/22/2006
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Perfect composition, and aperature with excellent focus on the eye, nice work Doyle!! I like the textures of the skin, the shedding adds to the reptilean mood. I'm not sure what a Savannah Monitor is, a snake? The detail and placement of the eye in the composition are excellent. I'm not sure about the star in the eye though....very nicely done Doyle...:) Lin
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Joggie van Staden
{K:41700} 11/22/2006
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Hi Doyle - A monster with a sparkle in the eye - smiling while he make mince meat of you! The star filter brought another (fun) dimension to the image by contradicting the actual "mean" disposition of the beast. Well taken and presented!
Joggie
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Annemette Rosenborg Eriksen
{K:55244} 11/22/2006
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Wow Doyle! Amazing shot that makes me wonder what this exactly is, but I do love reptiles, so Iīd probably sit in your garden and try to cuddle and feed it if I came to visit*LOL*
Great clarity and fascinating crop that intrigues the mind. The tones are so warm and plesant and what a light in the eye!
Best wishes,
Annemette
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Radmila Gorjanovic
{K:3113} 11/22/2006
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WOW, very nice abstract Doyle!
Pink star in the middle is taking my attention. I think that it would be more mysterious without it.
Greetings
R...
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Terry Osborne
{K:2059} 11/22/2006
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Fantastic shot again, like the use of the star filter. Beautiful detail.
He doesn't care who you are so long as you feed him, he would gladly eat you if he could get away with it.
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Jimmy Piper
{K:5742} 11/22/2006
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very cool, doyle...
like the comp with the eye :)
very fitting portfolio name too..
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