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Gray Jay


Gray Jay
Photo Information
Copyright: Rick Price (Adanac) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1273 W: 1 N: 6188] (21378)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2010-03-06
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon 5d Mark II, Canon EF 600mm f4.0L IS USM
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/640 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Theme(s): CeltickRanger's favorite Bird photos -5- [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2010-12-05 18:35
Viewed: 3268
Points: 21
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Hi Everyone,
This is a Gray Jay that I captured at Maligne Lake in Jasper National Park is March this year. They are not hard to photograph as they are very bold, they were landing on our heads, hands, camera and truck looking for hand outs. The are a beautiful species of Jay, sometimes called Canada Jay or Whiskey Jack. Here is some information from Weaselhead.org



Gray Jay
Perisoreus canadensis
>

General Description

By Nora Bryan

The gray jay is widespread in the mountains, foothills and boreal forests of Alberta. In winter this crestless jay might be seen in the parkland and in forested areas near cities, especially in years when food resources are scarce.

The bold gray jay is at home in dense spruce and mixed coniferous forests. This intelligent, opportunistic bird has learned that picnickers pack goodies, and is commonly observed looking for handouts or scraps at picnic sites and campgrounds in its range. It is not afraid to help itself if handouts are not forthcoming ? hence its other name "Camp Robber:".

When not wheedling whatever it can from people, gray jays feeding habits are like those of other corvids, taking seeds, fruit, insects, and occasionally the eggs and nestlings of other birds. They might also be seen at roadkills. The gray jay has special sticky saliva that it uses to stick together balls of berries, which are then glued to tree branches for future eating.

The nest, usually in a conifer, is constructed of twigs, bark and moss and lined with fur and feathers. Two to six eggs are incubated for 16 to 18 days and young are fledged 15 days after hatching.
eqshannon, CeltickRanger, dmark11, bahadir, Pitoncle, jaycee, siggi has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

I think it is the swath of colour in the background which is lit by sun and deeply saturated which brings out both the bird itself AND the feeling of the pictures as a whole. A fine image for last early on spring; a season I look forward to very much this time around.

Hi Rick,
I like your image of the Whisky jack. I like how you kept the trees in focos and in the picture. Its beutiful. I was working in a remote site close to Robb about five years ago, and these birds were flying around. I bet a guy $20.00 that I could get it to sit in my hand. It was quick and easy money.
Have a fine day,
Denis.

Hi Rick this is a charmer of a photo and I too have had these little guys land on my hat and boldly try to take food right out of my mouth,however I didn't mind in the slightest as,they are just so cute.I like the colour this image has and the hanging moss looks interesting , the bird is sharply focused and very lively looking.I can just see it robbing you for a bite to eat.Thanks for giving us this delightful little bird to view.

Bob

hello Rick

i love much more photos like this one where the bird
is a little bit smaller but with him we see his environment
on this photo being all the branches, very very fine POV
and framing, superbly focused with great sharpness & details,
very beautiful glance of the bird and eye-contact with you,

TFS

Asbed

Hello Rick
Beautiful photo with nice colours and very good composition.
Regards Christodoulos.

  • Great 
  • foozi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2791 W: 0 N: 6696] (25839)
  • [2010-12-06 0:46]

Hello Rick,
your bird photo is so lively in wilderness. Well seen in a good camouflaged of the same colour.
Very fine feather shown in great details, and the dark shiny eye is lovely.
Very pleasant composition.

Regards,
Foozi

Wonderful clean capture of this amazing and unknown for me bird with the funny name Gray Jay ! Bravo Rick! HOWEVER... I think that the color balance of that image is wrong! Again! Instead of explaining, I am presenting my version at the Workshop. Big change isn't it! Have a great week Rick!
Regards,
George Veltchev

Hello Rick, an expertly taken shot of this beautiful bird. Great details and composition.
TFS and regards,
bahadır

Bonjour Rick,
Très bonne valorisation du sujet dans son environnement sous une très belle lumière.
A bientôt sur TN pour de nouvelles aventures.
Gérard

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2454 W: 10 N: 8044] (25460)
  • [2010-12-06 10:17]

Hi Rick,

Ah, a bird I actually have seen with my own eyes. It was performing, just as you said, in Bryce National Park. It was nice of him to settle down so you could get this lovely relaxed shot. I love the natural setting, the fine colors and shadings and the wonderful details of the face, wings and plumage.

Jane

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3097 W: 109 N: 12399] (52850)
  • [2010-12-06 12:13]

Hello Rick.
This is a well composed shot. Lovely exposure and management. Nice POV and very pleasing to view. TFS.
Best regards Siggi

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