Florida Scrub Jay

[Joseph Przybyla]

The Florida Scrub Jay is one of the only true endemic birds in Florida, the other being the Florida Burrowing Owl. I realize that the upwards angle is not the best, but crawling around in the Scrub Oaks doesn't allow much flexibility. The perch/bush is the Scrub Oak that the bird prefers for habitat, nesting in the branches and feeding on the small acorns. This bird is endangered in Florida from habitat loss only surviving in small pockets of preserved land statewide. The image was captured in southeast Florida. 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 Auto 1 WB, camera supported by a monopod
Post processed in Lightroom Classic, Photoshop CC 2020 and Neat Image for noise reduction
Cropped for composition and presentation

[Randy Stout]

Joe:

Sharp, well exposed image of an uncommon bird. The perch is a bit busy, but the only area that I might consider tweaking is the vertical twig just behind his head.

Because of the birds gaze and the pose, it might work as.a vertically cropped image as well.

Cheers

Randy

[Joseph Przybyla]

Joe:

Sharp, well exposed image of an uncommon bird. The perch is a bit busy, but the only area that I might consider tweaking is the vertical twig just behind his head.

Because of the birds gaze and the pose, it might work as.a vertically cropped image as well.

Cheers

Randy

Hi Randy, thank you for viewing and commenting. I just happen to have a vertical of the image. When it seems appropriated I work up both versions. I removed the branch as you suggested. Thanks again.

[Jack Backs]

Nice sharp image. Not an ideal HA. Like the second crop better. I would lose the branch in the upper right corner.

[Joseph Przybyla]

Nice sharp image. Not an ideal HA. Like the second crop better. I would lose the branch in the upper right corner.

Hi Jack, thank you for viewing and commenting. I think the head angle is okay, while capturing images the bird looked towards me. I thought this head angle was more engaging for the viewer of the image. I left that branch in the upper right hand corner because it was a continuation of the branch lower in the frame on the left. I also think it balances the image. Here is a image from the series that has a head angle more to what you would like. Thanks again for commenting.

[Randy Stout]

Joe:

I prefer the head angle in the last post. And, I do think removing the twig behind the head cleaned up the visual.

Cheers

Randy

[Daniel Cadieux]

An original vertical with more room would have been the best option IMO. Cool bird with great blue hues, and nice details. I gotta see these guys sometime!

[Joseph Przybyla]

An original vertical with more room would have been the best option IMO. Cool bird with great blue hues, and nice details. I gotta see these guys sometime!

Hi Dan, thank you for viewing and commenting. I just worked up the image as you suggested, vertical with more room, it is posted below. I left the branch that Randy suggested removed, I go both ways on removing it.

If you ever come to Florida again, contact me. I think I can hook you up with these birds.