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Springtime in the Urban Jungle


Springtime in the Urban Jungle
Photo Information
Copyright: Jay Meeuwig (Shoot_Score) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 445 W: 302 N: 670] (2376)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-04-30
Categories: Birds
Camera: Fuji FinePix 3800
Photo Version: Final Version, Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-04-08 2:10
Viewed: 3561
Points: 8
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
HAPPY EASTER! eh...

But when oh when will we see these fresh GREEN sights again? WE - in Nova Scotia - just got dumped on... a heavy load of wet snow, a blanket of about a foot thick I think! So much for EASTER!




The colouration of Blue Jays is not derived by pigments, but is the result of light refraction due to the internal structure of the feathers. This is known as structural colouration. When Blue Jay feathers are crushed, the blue disappears as the structure is destroyed.

Blue Jays have adapted well to the urban environment. The birds are cagey and extremely alert. This one I dubbed Ms Bathsheba Blue-Jay, as she came to take a bath in the clean drinking water I had put out for birds and squirrels. Yes, this is in the city ( Calgary, Alberta ) ... in the Foothills of the Rockies.

Blue Jay; Cyanocitta cristata
----------------------------
Identification Tips:

Length: 10 inches / 25 cm
Black sturdy bill
Blue crest and upperparts
Black eyeline and breastband
Greyish-white throat and underparts
Bright blue wings with black bars and white patches
Long blue tail with black bars and white corners
Dark legs
Migrates during the day in small flocks ;
and loves to take a bath ...

For my Dutch & Flemish friends I add that the Jay is the "Gaai",
as in Vlaamse Gaai. All are in the Corvidae groupo < Crows et al >.

See more at "Wiki"
as well as "http://aves.net/birds-of-ohio/birdbjay.htm"> here

Note: I did some small colour adjustments. Please note there will be NO sparkle in the eye of the bird as the sun is on the other side...
Alex99, JoseMiguel, bobair has marked this note useful
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ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To arfer: I like this fun shot.Shoot_Score 1 04-11 21:49
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4072 W: 133 N: 7096] (23735)
  • [2007-04-08 5:32]

Hi Jay.
On my monitor I did not manage to find appreciable differences. But I have got acquainted with this photo with pleasure as I did not see it before.

I like the pictured scene so much as well as its framing, composition and your POV. Shot is excellently detailed, lightened and coloured. Reflections in the water are simply amazing. Image a bird (there are not in our edges) is soft a bit. I think the spring will come to your place at last.

Thank you a lot for nice workshops. I like them very much.
Yours Alexei.

Hi Jay,
Great this bathing scene!
I like so much this clear capture of the blue jay, we can enjoy the first signs of the spring there, with the slights greens that makes a very good colour contrast with the blues of the bird.
I think the composition is very well balanced.
Congratulations for this picture and happy easter to you too.
My best regards,
JM

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2007-04-11 21:10]
  • [+]

Hello Jay

I like this fun shot.The Blue Jay is obviously having a great time splish splashing around in the bath.Nicely composed with very good detail.TFS

Rob

Hi Jay,
it is time to have my say about your jay,Jay.In all fairness I should not let my prejudice prevent me from giving an honest review of a blue jay as it is the content and quality of the photo that is really what is important and not the subject(I know that now in no small part due to you).Your bird has good colour and as you pointed out no catch light in its eye and the darkside is what is showing so there is some loss of detail.I think that the make shift bird bath is really kinda neat and the water in it ripples up some interesting patterns,one or two of which look a little like faces.Remember your email to me about a certain someone,well so far so good ,things are as they should.I thank you for your candor and logic about seeing things you are a wise man. Tfs. Bob

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