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Thread: Gray Jay

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    Default Gray Jay

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    This image was made last winter in the Sax-Zim Bog in Northern Minnesota. A roadside feeding station that has for many years been maintained by
    locals, for anyone to enjoy, was what initially attracted the jays. My meaty little offerings placed at intervals in this spruce branch was what attracted
    this particular jay to where I wanted it to land. Gray Jays will cache food items in the winter. They produce some type of saliva that may play some role
    in the preseveration of the food cache. I think I've read that they can remember where they have stored "thousands" of food items, over a very large area.
    They are a lot of fun to interact with, unless that is against your ethics of course....
    SonyA300, Sigma50/500, iso400, f9, 1/1000, fill flash, cropped, cleaned some food residue off the bill, NR selectively applied to the background, adjusted contrast, USM.
    Comments and critiques appreciated.
    Regards,
    Shawn Zierman.

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    Lifetime Member gail bisson's Avatar
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    Very nice image.
    I like the color of the pine needles and the pose of the bird.
    Great BG and perch. I like the diagonal line created by the perch and body.
    eally like the composition.
    Gail

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    Wonderful muted colors. I really like the pose, details and comp. Thanks for the info on the saliva, had no idea there was a preservative element.

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    Very nice capture. Detail seems spot on and the fill seems very natural. Thanks for the info on the saliva!

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    BPN Member dankearl's Avatar
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    Very attractive photo. The pine perch and BG colors look very nice with the bird and very nice detail.
    Dan Kearl

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    Lifetime Member Marina Scarr's Avatar
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    Killer image with nice exposure and great details. Love the colors and how the needs, birds and BG colors all complement one another. Thanks for the info on their hiding food. Very interesting.
    Marina Scarr
    Florida Master Naturalist
    Website, Facebook

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    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    Hi Shawn, super comp, and I like the line from the Jay's tail leading diagonally up through the image to the ULC. Excellent sharp detail throughout, and good DOF. Great BG too.

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    Forum Participant christopher galeski's Avatar
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    very nice image,nice pose and colors.thanks.

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    Shawn,
    Absolutely superb image,excellent composition,lovely perch and beautiful background.
    Looks like Jay's expression is telling you " I am not still satisfied with food provided"
    Love the expression of bird.

    Regards,
    Satish.

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    Excellent light, details and bg.

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    Super Moderator Daniel Cadieux's Avatar
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    Excellent comp, and I like how we can see the weight of the jay bending the perch down (at least that is the impression I get). Details, exposure, BG all good. Anytime I go to Algonquin Park these guys are a treat to observe...quite curious and fearless and they like to feed in the hand like huge chickadees

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    Wonderful shot. Excellent flash work, details are great, teriffic comp, and wonderful background.
    Well done.

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    Shawn, A wonderful composition, background and sharp details!

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