Story behind the Lens Captured within the bustling marketplace of Frankenmuth, Michigan, this portrait of Kira represents the intense, watchful soul of a predator. While our first encounter with Kira was defined by stillness and shyness, this second perspective, taken just a moment later, captures him in a dramatic, three-quarter profile. He is looking away from the crowd, focusing his legendary vision on a silent point on the horizon. This "Golden Gaze" photograph is a rare look at the world’s largest owl in a state of high-alert, silent anticipation. Composition This composition is an intersection of mystery and light. By capturing Kira looking away from the viewer, the focus shifts entirely to his profile, the magnificent sweep of his ear tufts, and, most importantly, the singular, fiery orange glow of his eye. By utilizing a tight depth of field, Kira is isolated against a softly blurred winter forest backdrop, emphasizing the incredibly complex, "tiger-stripe" patterns of his plumage. The natural, golden hour light makes the intricate details of his feathers appear almost sculpted, creating a profound sense of quiet, predatory intensity. Fine Art Quality To capture the minute detail of the "tiger" stripes and the intense saturation of the golden-orange gaze, I print every piece in-studio using the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100 system. This professional 12-ink system utilizes archival pigment inks to ensure the subtle tonal shifts and deep colors remain gallery-quality for generations. Artisan Textured (Palo Duro Etching 315): A 100% cotton cold-press paper. Its heavy, watercolor-like texture adds a tangible, lifelike dimension to the feathers and tufts. Vibrant Metallic (Polar Luster Metallic 255): My top recommendation for this specific shot. The pearlescent finish makes the orange glow of Kira’s eye appear to physically ignite, while the metallic base makes the intricate feather patterns stand out with incredible clarity. Standard Matte (Polar Matte 230): A clean, glare-free professional matte paper. It provides a smooth surface that ensures every fine stripe remains crisp and reflection-free under any lighting. Starting at $45.00. Available Sizes & Presentation Small (Nominal 8" x 12"): Printed on a 9" x 13" paper sheet with a 7" x 10.5" image area. Fits standard 12" x 16" frames using a 8.5" x 12.5" mat opening. Medium (Nominal 12" x 18"): Printed on a 14" x 20" paper sheet with a 12" x 18" image area (1-inch surround). Fits 18" x 24" frames using a custom 13.5" x 19.5" mat opening. Master Print (Nominal 15" x 20"): Printed on a 17" x 22" paper sheet with a 15" x 20" image area (1-inch surround). Fits 20" x 24" or custom frames using a 16.5" x 21.5" mat opening. Includes Free Domestic Shipping. Artist’s Signature Every print includes a border surround designed for ease of matting and safe handling. I hand-title each piece in the lower-left margin beneath the image and sign/date it in graphite on the lower-right—a classic gallery finish that marks it as an authentic TPegg Photography original. Bottom Left: The Golden Gaze Bottom Right: TPegg | 21 Dec 2025 Artist’s Note "Kira has a commanding presence. In this specific moment, he was in full profile, ignoring the noise of the market entirely. By waiting for the sun to hit just right, I was able to capture the fiery, golden-orange intent that has defined this species for millennia. Like our first Kira portrait, this piece is part of my Sanctuary Series. 10% of all sales from this print go directly back to Christiane’s Exotic Parrotdise to support the vital work they do to provide forever homes to birds like Kira. Your purchase helps secure the future for this magnificent resident of Michigan."
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