Bath Time

[Paul Lagasi]

On a trip to Southern Texas in search of Green Jays...I got lucky, this Jay came in to a stream for a quick bath on a scorching day...I like this image for its colors..both the birds and the rocks in the stream. This image is full frame, sharpened and lightened. thanks for looking
Nikon D70
Nikon 80-400 @ 400mm
f5.6
1/500
handheld
no ISO details

[denise ippolito]

Paul, Green Jays are so beautiful. I might tone down some of the bright spots on the rock and in the BG and crop some off the bottom to just above the OOF FG rock if it were mine. Not sure if you can get any more details in the blacks. Wonderful feather details and the blue raised feathers add a lot to the image. Lucky you to get one of these!!

[Sandra K. Mathews-Benham]

How wonderful, such a beautiful bird. The bird shares colors with its surroundings, but unfortunately I think that takes my attention away from the bird itself. . . I wonder if the bird could be made more vibrant, or the background a little more muted? I don't know, I'm new to this! :-)

[Kerry Perkins]

Hi Paul, good catch! I like the colors too and I think the bird blending with the surroundings is good for ootb and makes this even more interesting. I would go after the specular highlights, especially those bright streaks behind the head and the rock in the bottom of the frame (which could even be cropped away). The colors match really nicely.

[Paul Lagasi]

Thanks for your comment Denise and Kerry, I addressed some of the problems...reposted image with changes

[Nicki Gwynn Jones]

Much better without those hightlights Paul - really lovely repost :)

[Julie Kenward]

The repost is perfect, Paul! That OOF rock in the FG was pulling so much attention away from the bird. Now it really feels like its the star of the show. ;)

[denise ippolito]

Nice job with the repost Paul!

[Kerry Perkins]

Good work on the repost Paul! Looks much better.

[Mark Fuge]

Nice image and application, Paul.

Like the repost.

[Paul Lagasi]

Thanks Everyone...I appreciate it

[Jackie Schuknecht]

Never even heard of a Green Jay! Like the repost and good catch. Looks like you got pretty close Paul!

[Indranil Sircar]

Excellent repost, Paul. Love the colors and the overall composition. My first time for a green jay too..

[Cheryl Slechta]

Paul, the repost is gorgeous. I love green jays but have never seen one in person. I really like the colors in the water which compliment the jay.:)