Western Scrub-jay

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Western Scrub-jay
Photo Information
Copyright: Tom Peak (tkp1165) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 114 W: 4 N: 347] (2147)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-05-03
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon D 80, Sigma 50-500mm f4-6.3 DG EX APO HSM
Exposure: f/8, 1/250 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Blue Things, CeltickRanger's favorite Bird photos [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-05-04 20:25
Viewed: 354
Points: 18
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The Western Scrub-jay also known as California Jay or Long-tailed Jay is a species of scrub-jay native to western North America, ranging from southern Washington to central Texas and central Mexico. In recent years, it has expanded its range into the Puget Sound region of Washington. The Santa Cruz or Island Scrub-jay (Aphelocoma insularis), found only on Santa Cruz Island, and the Florida Scrub-jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens), a Floridan endemic, are its closest relatives. The Western Scrub-jay is nonmigratory and can be found in urban areas, where it can become tame and will come to bird feeders.

This species is 27-31 cm (11.5 in) long (including its tail), and weighs about 80g. Coastal Pacific birds tend to be brighter in coloration than those of the interior, but all are patterned in blue, white and gray, though none as uniform in color as the related Mexican Jay. Western Scrub-jays feed on small animals, eggs and young of other birds, insects, and (particularly in winter) nuts and berries. True to their name, Western Scrub-jays inhabit areas of low scrub, preferring pinyon-juniper forests, oak woods and sometimes mesquite bosques. They are known for hoarding and burying brightly colored objects.

Nests are built low in trees or bushes, 1m to 10m above the ground, primarily by the female while the male guards her efforts. The nests are sturdy, with an outside diameter of 33cm to 58cm, constructed on a platform of twigs with moss and dry grasses lined with fine roots and hair. Four to six eggs are laid from March through July with some regional variations. There are two common shell color variations: pale green background with irregular, olive-colored spots or markings, and pale grayish-white to green background with reddish-brown spots. The female incubates the eggs for about 16 days. The young leave the nest about 18 days after hatching.

The Western Scrub-jay is one of the species whose populations are being adversely affected by the West Nile Virus, particularly in California's Central Valley.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
bobair, Argus, marhowie, eqshannon, vanderschelden, CeltickRanger has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • bobair Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 359 W: 73 N: 1090] (4080)
  • [2008-05-04 21:19]

Hi Tom,
this is an attractive photo of the jay and what colour he has,very nice indeed.I like the green background as it gives a nice contrast for the bird and it's perch.The focus is good and the point of view as well and the only thing that could be better is if you showed him a little closer up but a fine photo just the same and thanks for sharing.I hope that the virus disappears as we need to have such lovely birds in the world. Bob

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2416 W: 132 N: 6653] (20877)
  • [2008-05-04 22:10]

Hello Tom,
An excellent sharp portait of a Western Scrub-jay and a good informative note to go with it.
I like the pose and lighting and the composition with the branches against a contrasting OOF natural BG is superb.
Thanks for sharing this beauty,
Regards, Ivan

  • Great 
  • pvs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1133 W: 259 N: 2406] (10803)
  • [2008-05-05 2:28]

Hi Tom,

A nice composed capture,the colorfull bird contrasts well against the BG,the only thing that distacts a bit is the vertical branch,but that are those things in nature which are sometimes there,tfs

Paul

Same colours as the mountain bluebird but larger and more spread out in pattern. The blue is like wedgewood almost....a wonderful bird tom. Just a nice day in the woods eh? Neat...I can feel the youth still in you and the treks that lay ahead...Stay healthy!
Bob

Hello Tom,
Excellent photo of this Western Scrub-Jay. Great sharp details and very beautiful natural, clear and contrasting colours. Fantastic composition, DOF and BG.
Regards,
Peter

Hello Tom,
Very beautiful bird captured with a good pose. Excellent POV and DOF.
TFS
Annick

hello Tom

very beautiful shot of the Scrub-jay, fine POV, DOF and vertical framing,
very beautiful luminosity of the image, great contrast, sharpness
and details, and i love that the bird is little on the image,
it shows that it don't absolutaly be a close shot, TFS

Asbed

Hi Tom

Good shot of the scrub jay and sorry to hear it's being hit by that nasty virus. Great pose and good sharpness and compositioin.

Chris

Hello Tom,
Very good capture, excellent sharpness and depth of field,
the background is lovely and helps bring out the
superb details in the birds plummage, beautiful colors,
nice light and very good clarity.
Angela

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