Did I capture a ghost?

Question

Ok....I don't believe in ghosts in a photo, but this is weird. This "thing" wasn't in any other picture I took that day so it's not something on the lens. It's see-through, so it couldn't be my finger. What the heck is it?

http://picasaweb.google.com/SJSpildener/WillowBendPicnicAreaClevelandMetroparks/photo#5231804014505534914

(right side)

Answer 1

maybe light reflecting off the lens.

Answer 2

Since there are no ghosts I think we can rule out that possibility.

Just going on the image presented I think many would say that you have artifacts. Dirty lens, haze, motes, reflections or flare.

It is even possible that someone used Photoshop to add the smoky blue aberration to the image.

Answer 3

It looks like you have a dirty lens.

Answer 4

It isn't a dirty Lens.

But your flash did go off. See the leaf near the center that is very bright.

So what is most likely happening is that the light is overexposing either dust that was kicked up or smoke floating in front of the camera. Not impossible that the flash is flaring off of something just out of frame but not likely.  

Not a Ghost

Answer 5

Looks like lens flare.

Answer 6

when you have dirt on your lens and the light shines on it this is what the result is