Baiting Jay

Gallery: AvianPosted September 24, 2011107 views6 comments

This Blue Jay is a photographer baiter. It regularly appears in my backyard and lets everyone know it has arrived with the usual melodic blue jay cry. I obediently run out with some peanuts and then run for my camera. The blue jay then disappears. I wait around for awhile but no blue jay is to be seen. Later I note that the peanuts have mysteriously disappeared. This time was different. It couldn't resist grabbing one peanut before (temporarily) leaving. I got my shot.

I find the detail in the large version is quite interesting. The perch is an old branch that I positioned to allow birds to view the bird feeder.

All comments most welcome.

1D Mark IV, 400 mm f/5.6, 1.4x TC, hand held: ISO 1250, 1/1000 s, f/10, -1/3 EV, 13 MP (80% of 16 MP full frame), NR, exposure adjustment, sharpening

Comments

6 comments

Comment posted by David Haynes on September 24, 2011 at 11:46 AM

Steve,
Nice capture. This guy has a very intent look on something and I suppose it's the feeder you mention in you story. Nice exposure on the whites, and the blues really pop. The greens/yellows seem a little bit over saturated but not much. I'd try moving the perch away from the background some more so that you can get a smoother graidient blur to it on you next image. You might also try a slightly smaller perch. Just a thought Steve.

Registered on February 20, 2010, 110 Posts, 1511 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on September 24, 2011 at 11:01 PM

Did you try shots with a shallower depth of field? The detail in the background is a bit distracting. Otherwise, a very nice shot, with very good detail, especially in the larger image.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on September 25, 2011 at 7:21 AM

Nice even exposure & great detail/DOF Steve..I like the green BG of juniper? It works well.
I think the colors R fine..If it ain't broke, don't fix it

Well done

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on September 25, 2011 at 1:03 PM

Love the colors of the blue jay, and the detail especially on the body in the larger version is really, really nice.

Registered on July 27, 2010, 1310 Posts, 5035 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on September 25, 2011 at 1:11 PM

Nice image. I'm glad you got your jay. They can be irritatingly difficult because they are easily frightened away.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on September 27, 2011 at 9:58 PM

Thank you for the comments and suggestions everyone. I enjoy them all and find them very helpful.
P.S.: Howard, in answer to your question the bg is a row of large emerald cedars.

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments