Florida Scrub Jay

[Joseph Przybyla]

I captured this image in southeast Florida. The Scrub Jay is perched on a Scrub Oak bush/tree, it's preferred habitat. The Scrub Oak grows to a height of about eight to ten feet producing small acorns which the jays feed on. The Florida Scrub Jay is most endangered from habitat loss as more and more of Florida is built up. There are only pockets of remaining habitat scattered throughout the state. Comments and critique welcomed and appreciated. Thank you for viewing.

Nikon D500
Nikon 80-400mm F/4.5-5.6 VRII AF-S ED image captured at 330mm
1/2500 F/8 Matrix Metering EV +1 ISO 720, camera supported by a monopod
Post processed in Lightroom Classic CC and Photoshop CC 2018
Cropped from horizontal to vertical for composition and presentation

[annmpacheco]

Hi Joe, lovely scrub jay but i immediately get "blue" sky overdose on this image, and the intersecting branches also distract from the jay. Perhaps a bit more sharpening on the top of the head. TFS

[Bill Dix]

Hi Joe. Nice shot of this endangered Florida specialty. After much searching we finally found one on Merritt last year, but not as nice as this. I rather like that you got him on Scrub Oak, which seems fitting, although I suppose the arrangement of branches is not ideal. The blue sky is indeed very blue, although I've seen Florida sky like this. You would know. The problem with it is that it detracts from the lovely blue head.

[Joseph Przybyla]

Ann and Bill, thank you for viewing and commenting. Here is an edit tempering the blue of the sky as both of you suggested. Thank you for the input and help.

[Bill Dix]

Looks better to my eye, Joe.

[annmpacheco]

Looks better too!

[Joseph Przybyla]

Ann and Bill, thank you for viewing and commenting, very much appreciated.