1. A method for processing an image data structure, using a processor or a computing system, to extract a feature defined by a plurality of contiguous data elements, the method comprising: identifying, using the processor or the computing, a set of candidate image feature pixels, said set including one or more pixels from the image data structure; examining, using the processor or the computing, local image data surrounding one or more pixels of said set of candidate image feature pixels to identify a set of potential image feature pixels with each of said potential image feature pixels having a characteristic consistent with being associated with the feature; and identifying, using the processor or the computing, the feature in said image data using said set of potential image feature pixels by locating one or more of the plurality of contiguous data elements neighboring one or more pixels of said set of potential image feature pixels.