Bird Shots from Canada - Hungry Blue Jays

[Manta]

These guys can be very timid but greed eventually brings them to the railing for a feed of muffins!

[Oscar]

Wonderful captures Simon. Well done!

[Manta]

Thanks Mick.

I had to use flash 'cos it was so dark and gloomy even in the middle of the day (we only had blue sky for two days over three weeks). I'm pleased I did as it brought out their gorgeous colours so well. The downside was that it scared the bejesus out of them every time I clicked the shutter. They'd then stay away for 15-20 minutes building up the courage to come back for another nibble!

[Bindii]

Oh how cool are these shots! So sharp... and how on earth did you manage to get so many good ones! Love em...

[Sandy Feet]

I love the movement captered in #2 & #4 fantastic shots
Cheers Rod

[gstark]

What Rod said, particularly wrt #2, which has a good mix of subject movement and sharpness.

[Manta]

Cheers Sue, Rod and Gary. There were 4 birds vying for the tidbits so it was just a case of snapping away. These could be all the same individual for all I know!

[wazonthehill2]

I know 2 and 4 show great movement etc, but no.1 for me is the must have shot to see what the bird really looks like. Then this adds to the movement shots.
Bet you enjoyed capturing this!
Waz

[Manta]

I know 2 and 4 show great movement etc, but no.1 for me is the must have shot to see what the bird really looks like. Then this adds to the movement shots.
Bet you enjoyed capturing this!
Waz

It's actually my favourite too Waz, as I just love the "Norwegian Blue" style plumage! (Monty Python fans know what I mean).

I enjoyed getting the shots but when my fingers froze to the point I couldn't work the camera, it was time to pack things in.

[the foto fanatic]

I like all the shots, including the ones with subject movement.

I thought they might be blue tits - I heard there were a few of them in the colder parts of Canada.

[mickeyjuice]

#1 & #2 FTW! Great shots.

I remember these fellas from when I lived in Toronto, you've got them very true to life.

[Alex]

Some stunning shots there, Manta. I particularly like No. 2.

Alex

[blacknstormy]

WOW !!!!!
Beautiful bird, Beautiful shots !!!!
And I'm jealous
Must be a really shitty camera - I'll take it off your hands for you if you like

[Manta]

Thank you Trevor, Mickey, Alex and Rel.

They really are beautiful birds to look at. Due to the poor light, I myself couldn't see how brilliant they were until I saw the results of these flash-illuminated images. (Rel - one day in Connecticut some gorgeous flame red Cardinals turned up but I didn't have a chance of getting a decent shot without the Better Beamer. Can't believe I left such an easil;y packed item in my Lowepro at home!!)

Mickey, I hope I've done justice to your memories. I was last in Toronto in 1993 and although I didn't get to see any feathered Blue Jays in the trees, I DID get to see the cleated Blue Jays wallop the Seattle Mariners at the Skydome (and from front row seats too!) This trip we cut a little west of the main city enroute from Ridgefield, Connecticut to Port Severn/Muskoka up near Georgian Bay. Driving 10 hours each way was a pain but the payoff in shots like these made it worth it.

Rel - you know you can have a play anytime.

[radar]

Simon,

lovely shots of great bird. #1 would be my favourite. I just love the pose and very typical of the Blue Jay. You really got lucky with snow this year as December has been a record year in most of Ontario. Muskoka would have been a wonderful area to spend time in.

Cheers,

André

[Manta]

You really got lucky with snow this year as December has been a record year in most of Ontario. Muskoka would have been a wonderful area to spend time in.

We consider ourselves very lucky indeed Andre. This time last year Steph's brother was whizzing up and down their lake in his tinnie. This year you could have driven a truck over it!

Glad you like the Jay shots.