Mike Patterson
January 2025 - Stellar Jay
About the Image(s)
I captured this image of a Stellar Jay at a roadside picnic area Mesa Verde National Park, using a Canon 7D and a 70-300 mm lens. Shot at 272 mm at f/7.1 and 1/200 second. The birds in the picnic grounds are habituated to people, meaning we can get close to them before they fly off. I did quite a bit of processing in Lightroom. Besides significant cropping, I darkened the background, lightened the bird and made a slight color adjustment to enhance its blue colorings. What appealed to me about this image is its model-like pose.
5 comments posted
Mike, you did catch this Stellar Jay in a model like pose but it also has good visual impact and interest. Hope you don't mind I did a little more tweaking. The bright light in the lower left pulls you eye off the bird and I thought it needed more sharpness in the area under the eye. I also wish the tail wasn't cut off. Still this is a very good image and probably hard to catch. Posted: 01/02/2025 01:40:14
Thanks. I should have caught that bright spot. Posted: 01/02/2025 03:25:28
Beautiful bird and a model pose indeed. I like the contrast of the bird's blue color and the warm background tone, very pleasing. The enhanced blue color is just right, you didn't overdo it. Nice image. Posted: 01/07/2025 01:53:34
I've taken European Jays before and their colour is quite in your face compared to this subtle one. Great pose and square crop is right. Well taken. Posted: 01/09/2025 16:09:45
Mike, an excellent bird portrait. I agree with Tom's comment and I think his image has improved your already excellent presentation.
Best wishes
Michele Posted: 01/12/2025 10:08:58
Best wishes
Michele Posted: 01/12/2025 10:08:58