This image was published as NASA APOD for March 8, 2012: http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap120308.html

SBIG ST8300M, Astrodon filters: RGB E-Series GenII
LRGB Total 3:25 hours = L 65 min. [13x5 min.] + 80 Ha [16x5 min.] + R,G,B 4x5 min. each
Boren-Simon 2.8-8 CF (Carbon Fiber) OTA - http://www.powernewts.com
NEQ6 mount, guided w/PHD and EQMOD

This broad expanse of glowing gas and dust presents a bird-like visage to astronomers from planet Earth, suggesting its popular moniker - The Seagull Nebula. This portrait of the cosmic bird covers a 1.6 degree wide swath across the plane of the Milky Way, near the direction of Sirius, alpha star of the constellation Canis Major. Of course, the region includes objects with other catalog designations: notably NGC 2327, a compact, dusty emission region with an embedded massive star that forms the bird's head (aka the Parrot Nebula, above center). IC 2177 forms the sweeping arc of the seagull's wings. Dominated by the reddish glow of atomic hydrogen, the complex of gas and dust clouds with bright young stars spans over 100 light-years at an estimated 3,800 light-year distance.
Ref: NASA APOD - 2011 January 12 - http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap110112.html
See also: 2012 March 8 - http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap120308.html
Starship Asterisk* Discussion: http://asterisk.apod.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=27683
NASA APOD - NASA APOD - 2011 January 12 - http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap110112.html
NASA APOD - 2011 January 12 - http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap110112.html
NASA APOD - 2010 March 19 - http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap100319.html
NASA APOD - 2009 March 27 - http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap090327.html

This image is 1024 x 765 pixels.