Baited Bluejays

[Loupey]

The lighting was great yesterday so I put some peanuts on our deck yesterday to get some grab shots.

My apologies as all these have some major flaws with them. I haven't posted any pics lately so I wanted to contribute something

[Bevb]

They are super Loupey, especially like #3 what a beautiful bird, the Jay family certainly have stunning colours!

[Copy_Kot]

I like the third image too! It looks like he is going to swallow that peanut, shell and all :yikes:

[Loupey]

Thanks Bev and Copy - it was fun shooting these. Some actually were able to take two away at a time. Others would swoop down and snatch one without even landing.

At this distance (nearly full frame) I missed quite a few. Sometimes its better to back off to capture the action and crop in later. Not easy for someone who preaches the in-camera-crop rule

Thanks again.

[Copy_Kot]

Not easy for someone who preaches the in-camera-crop rule

I was absent that day I've been wanting to ask you about a 100% crop... how do you know when you cropped an image @ 100%?

[Loupey]

I was absent that day I've been wanting to ask you about a 100% crop... how do you know when you cropped an image @ 100%?

A good question. As a previous "film" person, I refer that question to someone else I just try to trim the ends (for an 8x10 aspect ratio) or none at all if I can help it. Best image quality possible if 1) use the best lens possible, 2) no filter, 3) lowest ISO, 4) steady camera, and 5) no/minimal crop

[paulnj]

I am not a BS artist, so here we go..

first image.... delete
second image is quite nice, but a bit too dark to me

AND THAT 3RD IMAGE ROCKS!!!!!!!

Mind you, this comes from a guy who last took an image in july

[Loupey]

Mind you, this comes from a guy who last took an image in july

You know, Paul, photog equipment should be used regularly. If you want, I can "work" them for ya - send it over to me via Fed-Ex. Preferrably before the really cold nasty stuff arrives

Thanks!

[paulnj]

Well, I just got a nice male uroplatus henkeli , so maybe I will try to get an image of him this week.

[Lionheart]

great shots Loupey! What lens and how far away where you? Were you in blind or shooting through a window? I'll have to try that peanut trick sometime on my back porch-of course the squirrels in my back yard might be a problem :-)

[Loupey]

Were you in blind or shooting through a window?

Yes. The blind is the house

Shooting distance: 15'
Shooting lens: 300mm f/4L

Sliding door opened a crack until I hear one land nearby. Then slide the door just enough to shoot thru. Reload. Repeat.

As for squirrels, I've got the same problem. Now they figured out the peanut dispenser and beat the jays to it everytime.