BirdWatching - Rare Iceland Gull Seen in Tornio

One Iceland gull has been already about two weeks here in Tornio. According Finnish Wiki Iceland gull has spotted in Finland only  about 28 times ever. I heard from birdwatcher that last year 2016 people didn't see any Iceland Gull in Finland. There have been already some birdwatchers who have driven 500-600km from South Finland to Tornio to watch the bird and then back to home. Maybe that tells something how rare Iceland gulls are in Finland.

Place: Tornio, Finland
Photo: Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides), In Finnish: Grönlanninlokki
Date: 24th of January, 2017

Camera: Canon EOS 60D
Lens: Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

The bird has been in the same place where are also ice fishers and they have feed the bird. Also today when I was there.

Lunch time.

Eating.

Almost done.

If you try to go closer the bird, it will fly away, but only 10-20 meters. Looks like fishes keep the bird on same place.

Let's see how long the bird will stay here in Tornio.

Regards,
Mika

Old Wooden Houses

I took this photo in the area where are many old wooden houses. Then I wanted the photo looks old, so I played with different kind of filters.

Place: Tornio, Finland
Photo: Old wooden houses
Date: 16th of January, 2017

Camera: Canon EOS 60D
Lens: Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
Shot: 1/20 sec. f/14 26mm ISO 100

Editing: Cropping and many different kind of filters. Some filters I used many times, so first saving and added same filter again to get the stronger effect what I wanted.

For comparison here is the original photo.

Same photo, but totally different look.

Regards,
Mika

Models in Manila Car Shows | PHILIPPINES

Manila, Philippines. Model girls have always visible role in big car and motorcycle shows all over the world. Manila in Philippines is no exception. I took these photos in the biggest car and motorcycles shows like Manila International Auto Show, Manila Auto Salon, Hot Import Nights and Manila Bike Festival during 2012 - 2015.

Hopefully you like it.

Cheers,
Mika

Flashlight on the White Background

This is one kind of test photo. I wanted to use simple white background and check what kind of photos I could take.

Photo: Flashlight on the White Background
Date: 12th of January, 2017

Camera: Canon EOS 60D
Lens: EF 50mm f/1.8 STM
Shot: 1/4000 sec. f/1.8 50mm ISO 100

Editing: Cropping and sharpening. Then I edited using different kind of filters.

Idea for this white background I got from this video, where they show how to take product photos simply.

I just wanted to try in the low light and photo above a result. This was just a quick test, so have to try more using different kind of objects and lights.

Regards,
Mika

Winter Day on the Biking Bridge

This photo I took on the same day like earlier "Frosty trees in the park".

Place: Tornio, Finland
Photo: Winter day on the biking bridge
Date: 27th of December, 2016

Camera: Canon PowerShot G15
Shot: 1/200 sec. f/2.8 6.1mm ISO 80

Editing: Cropping and sharpening.

Another winter day.

Regards,
Mika

Deep Art Effects | Android App - Under the Bridge

Sometimes it's fun to play with different kind of photo apps. Few days ago I accidentally found app called Deep Art Effect. The app has lot of different kind of effects how you can edit the photos and most of the effects are quite wild one.

First the original photo, which I took using HDR mode in my mobile phone under the old Tornio bridge.

Place: Tornio, Finland
Photo: Under the Bridge
Date: 7th of January 2017

Camera: LG G2 mobile phone (Android)
Shot: 1/800 sec. f/2.4 3.97mm ISO 50 HDR-mode

Editing: Deep Art Effects App.

This is the same photo after using one of the filters. It looks like painting.

Looks quite cool. This is only one of the many this kind of apps. Sometimes the apps may surprise.

Regards,
Mika

Photo Collage | Best Island in the World - Palawan in Philippines

Palawan, Philippines. I lived in Manila about fours years in Philippines. I have also traveled quite a lot inside the country. Philippines has lot of beautiful islands and beaches around the country. One of those places is Palawan, which has been chosen the best island in the world by the foreign travelers.

I have visited in Palawan many, many times and been there something 9 months. I made a photo collage, where you can see why Palawan is so unique and popular holiday destination.

Palawan is truly amazing place. Enjoy!

Hopefully you like it!

Regards,

Mika