Scrub Jay

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

I have tried many times to capture these beautiful birds in pleasing surroundings and was not very successful . This place where we photographed the scrub jays was a little different and offered some lovely compositions. I know some will say it is too bad that the leaves are covering part of the breast but for me as a painter before photography I rather liked this as I feel it adds a little more interest and detail. It will be most interesting to see what you all feel.

Nikon D300
Nikon 300 F2.8
1/1600, F6.3
ISO 400
manual

All comments are appreciated.

[Tony Whitehead]

Lovely pose, colours and BG, Judy. I would prefer the foliage not covering the bird. I agree that they add interest and detail and in a painting you could place them to do that without obscuring part of the bird - the only part that really bothers me is the leaf that covers the toes, I could live with the rest.

[Robert Amoruso]

Killer BG and nice pose on the bird. I agree with Tony on the leaf hiding the toes - a move to the left could have dealt with that and still had the leaves nicely placed in the image.

Nice to see these guys are down your way.

[Beth Goffe]

This is a really nice scrub jay image! The colors of the bird and the background are pretty as is the light. I also like its expression. I agree that the one leaf obscuring the toe isn't perfect but it does not bother me. I like the rest of the leaves as well. I hope to see these guys when I'm down there at the end of the month.

[Glenda Simmons]

Hi Judy, I love the background colors, and while the leaves don't bother me, it may give the bird a stronger presence in your composition, if the ones in question were removed. You would still have the foilage in the bottom of the frame to balance it. But as is, it does give a nice feel for the habitat., and would make a lovely painting. Living in Florida, I have never seen a Scrub Jay, and really want to. I drove a good distance last spring in search of one.

[susanschermer]

Hi Judy. I don't agree with the leaf-position critique. It doesn't do anything to lessen the quality of the image. Seeing the whole bird is not as important to me as the impact of the whole canvas, including the foliage and BG.

[Maxis Gamez]

Hi Judy,

Gorgeous set up you have here and killer BG as Robert said. I don't have any problems with the leaf af the head angle and exposure is very clear and powerful.

Good work Judy!

[Melvin Grey]

Very nice image Judy, beautiful BG - the only chance I had to photograph these birds when I was in Fla. the BGs were very messy, so I can sympathise with you. Very nice light on bird and plumage detail.
Melvin

[Don Lacy]

Wonderful light Judy shows off the beautiful colors of bird nicely. Was this shot in Jupiter by chance.

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

Hi Don many thanks for your comments . I always appreciate you taking the time. This image was actually captured at a little park about four miles north of Viera. A slightly different habitat and many jays to chose from.