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Blue Jay


Blue Jay
Photo Information
Copyright: Mario Belanger (EOSF1) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1427 W: 128 N: 5252] (23221)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-10-16
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 40D, Canon EF 100-400 F4-5.6 L IS USM, ISO 400, B+W 77 010 UV-Haze 1 x
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/400 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes (Fill) Flash: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-08-16 10:41
Viewed: 494
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 24
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note [French]
From the archives a Blue Jay picture taken last October. (Cyanocitta cristata 25-30 cm)

From: www.birds.cornell.edu
Blue Jay
Cyanocitta cristata Order PASSERIFORMES - Family CORVIDAE
A familiar sight at bird feeders, the boldly patterned Blue Jay is unmistakable. It is abundant in the East and is extending into the West, using food and shelter provided by humans.
Size: 25-30 cm (10-12 in)
Wingspan: 34-43 cm (13-17 in)
Weight: 70-100 g (2.47-3.53 ounces)
Sex Differences
Sexes alike.
Sound
Very vocal; make a large variety of calls. Most frequent call is a harsh "jeer." Also clear whistled notes and gurgling sounds.
Conservation Status
Breeding Bird Survey data show a slight but significant decline in Blue Jay numbers across the United States, with most of the decline in the East. Some have implicated it in the decline of some Neotropical migrant species because it is a nest predator and prefers forest edges, but little direct evidence has been found.
Other Names
Geai bleu (French)
Cool Facts
Although the migration of Blue Jays is an obvious phenomenon, with thousands moving past some points along the coast, much about it remains a mystery. Some jays are present throughout the winter in all parts of the range. Which jays move and which stay put? Although young jays may be more likely to migrate than adults, many adults do migrate. Some individual jays may migrate south in one year, stay north the next winter, and then migrate south again the next year. Why do they migrate when they do?
Many people dislike the Blue Jay because it is known to eat the eggs and nestlings of other birds. However, in an extensive study of Blue Jay feeding habits, only 1% of jays had evidence of eggs or birds in their stomachs. Most of the diet was composed of insects and nuts.
The Blue Jay frequently mimics the calls of hawks, especially the Red-shouldered Hawk. It has been suggested that these calls provide information to other jays that a hawk is around, or that they are used to deceive other species into believing a hawk is present.
Tool use in birds is rare. Although no tool use has been reported for wild Blue Jays, captive jays used strips of newspaper to rake in food pellets from outside of their cages
nglen, crs, maurydv, eqshannon, CeltickRanger, jaycee, liziafa, pekkavalo1, pierrefonds has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To gerbilratz: Thanks Howard!EOSF1 1 08-24 12:00
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2130 W: 9 N: 5960] (22528)
  • [2008-08-16 10:47]

Hi Mario . It pays to look back at some old picture when you can find them like this. You have some beautiful birds in the winter in your area. you have captured this Blue jay with fine detail and antural colours. with a nice POV/DOF. well done TFS.
Nick..

  • Great 
  • crs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 405 W: 0 N: 630] (2537)
  • [2008-08-16 12:11]

Hi Mario,

Your photo has a very interesting way of rendering colors. Bird's colors and pearch beneath match very well. As alois image quality is very good with sharp details of the plumage. Composition is well chosen the diagonal pearch making the photo very dinamic.

Thank you for sharing,
Cristian

  • Great 
  • dahira (53)
  • [2008-08-16 12:56]

Such a good detail on this picture. This small birds always make me smile, they are so entrepreneurial! Very good find in your archives, I wish mine was had such hidden treasures:)

Ciao Mario,
un'altra splendida immagine di Ghiandaia azzurra, eccellenti POV e composizione con la bellissima postura sul ramo diagonale, ottima la definizione, perfetto utilizzo del flash che rende luminosi i colori in quella che sembra una giornata grigia, molto bello il BG chiaro.
TFS. Maurizio

Posting a late fall shot eh? I could tell without looking at the date..it is coming...and your Jays are your top drawer shots!
Bob

Hi Mario, I love Blue Jays..(and the hockey team!!!)these birds have so much character... love the diagonal branch acting as a frame. Wonderful eye contact and deep sharp colouration. I remain in awe of your photographs... regards h

salut Mario

belle image en close-up du Geai Bleu, belle pose de l'oiseau,
excellent POV et cadrage, belle netteté et détails du plumage
et une fois de plus j'aimes tes background,
dans cette image le blanc en dégradé, TFS

Asbed

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1911 W: 8 N: 4976] (16095)
  • [2008-08-17 9:47]

Hi Mario,

It's so nice to see one of your famous Bluejays. The bird is beautiful and perfect as always. But the background, framing and diagonal composition make it very special.

Jane

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1812 W: 29 N: 5246] (17188)
  • [2008-08-17 10:30]

Hi Mario,
This is an outstanding shot of this beautiful Blue Jay with immaculate sharpness and lovely colours. You have captured it in a nice pose with a precise DOF. I like the BG too which somehow enhances the charm of the shot. Thanks for sharing.
Sumon

Hi Mario,
WOOOW!!!
Perfect light, exposute, composition, colors and sharp.
Very very well done!
TFS Malgosia

Hi Mario,
It looks like it was cold weather. Excellent capture of this Blue Jay with good pose and composition, sharp details and nicely blurred BG.
TFS
Pekka

Bonjour Mario,

Un bon cadrage de ce geai bleu sur la branche, il semble perdu dans ses pensées. La prise de vue permet de voir les détails et les couleurs de l'oiseau. L'image est claire et nette. L'éclairage fait ressortir les couleurs. Bonne journée.

Pierre

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