Gray Jay at -25F

Gallery: AvianPosted January 18, 2010118 views14 comments

Olympus E-3, 300mm x 2.0TC, tripod
f5.7, 1/30, ISO800

I don't believe I've ever seen a Gray Jay quite this puffed out before. They're a big-headed bird, but this guy has his feathers so puffed out he looked like a pinhead.

We've still got horrible light here. I struggled to get enough of the bird sharp to have a decent portrait.

C & C, please.

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on January 18, 2010 at 3:43 AM

I really like the pose and detail here Jim, lovely background and bird too.

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on January 18, 2010 at 7:41 AM

Nice work at 1/30 Jim! I love the puffed up pose, the light in the eye and the lovely background.

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by Terry Sohl on January 18, 2010 at 9:34 AM

Uh oh...posting temperatures with the birds, winter must be wearing on you!

Very nice detail...neat portrati Jim.

We've had a bitterly cold last several weeks here, until this week. -30 a few times here for lows...that's awfully cold for even South Dakota.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 513 Posts, 6889 Comments

Comment posted by Sally King on January 18, 2010 at 10:35 AM

A lovely portrait. I love the details in those fluffed feathers and at 1/30 wow. I like the glint in his eye and the trace of snow on his bill.

Registered on December 2, 2008, 416 Posts, 4450 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on January 18, 2010 at 11:46 AM

You're right, Jim, I haven't seen such a tiny headed Gray Jay before either! I like this! We are also having the same horrible light down here - typically 1/40 at ISO800!

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on January 18, 2010 at 2:33 PM

I like the frost on the bristles around the eye, Jim. Excellent job getting enough light for this.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on January 18, 2010 at 3:07 PM

Jim, this is great. I love how all the colors work together. Great detail and a wonderful painterly BG. Well done.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on January 18, 2010 at 5:20 PM

Very effective Jim - love the detail, colours and fluffed up look

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Daniel & Loana on January 18, 2010 at 5:48 PM

So cute!

D&L

Registered on October 7, 2008, 166 Posts, 3044 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on January 18, 2010 at 6:23 PM

Cute bird, a little soft and I went thru the same dissapointment the other day with the light and softness. Still a great shot

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on January 18, 2010 at 11:20 PM

Pretty neat Jim, to see this bird so up close and personal. And lordy, it does look cold. I especially like the eye reflection. Looked for you in it...

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on January 19, 2010 at 12:58 AM

Can't say I blame him. He looks cold. Nice detail, Jim

Registered on October 18, 2006, 644 Posts, 4801 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Shellenberg on January 19, 2010 at 12:48 PM

That is one puffed up Jay, Jim. I like that head turn. Great job for 1/30 shutter speed.

Registered on February 6, 2008, 168 Posts, 3118 Comments

Comment posted by Graham Brown on January 19, 2010 at 6:43 PM

Excellent portrait in poor light conditions. Feather detail looks great in the larger version. Our Jays are so timid it's almost impossible to get this close. Graham

Registered on November 20, 2007, 275 Posts, 1365 Comments