Birds, Birds - Local

[mtngal]

Two pictures I took yesterday morning. The first is a Steller's Jay, common to our area and very vocal. The ones around here don't stay in any one place for long so I find them difficult to photograph.



Not sure what this bird is - perhaps a female western bluebird? Or a mountain bluebird? Or something entirely different?

[saly]

I think that is either a female or juvenile Mountain Bluebird (Westerns have more orange). What a cutie!! Really excellent shot, love it!

[smac]

Oh Wow! I Love the composition of your second shot. That's beautiful. Nicely done.

[mtngal]

Thanks for the compliments. I had thought the second one looked like a female Mountain Bluebird, but the map in my bird guide makes it look like they are only winter visitors, not year-round residents. Though my guide is old and I've already found non-native species that have moved into the area.

[Mugmar]

Love the second shot. Cute little thing

[Wizzard0003]

I love them both, nice work...!

[pj1974]

Thanks for sharing, mtngal

I also really like the composition of photo #2 (and the 2nd bird in the blurred background).

Thanks for sharing. Your timing paid off!

Paul

[mtngal]

Thanks, for the compliments! While my intention was to take pictures of birds when I took a walk Saturday morning (these were taken in my neighborhood), I didn't expect to see anything interesting where I took the second one - it's not some place I normally see birds hang out. It was a quick grab on my way back to the house, somewhat unexpected. And I had the camera set to Tv, to avoid camera shake (I find it hard to shoot hand-held with what is for me a heavy, long lens) and didn't pay attention to the fact the lens was wide-open. The small dof worked to my advantage, for once. I have other shots (taken around where I took the first one) also taken at f4 where the camera just slightly missed the focus - it either focused on the branch right in front of the bird or the foliage just behind the bird. Not to mention the lovely branches I captured when the bird flew off just as I pushed the shutter (didn't even manage tail feathers in that one!). Shooting birds is frustrating, but oh so rewarding when you finally get a good one.

[wave01]

nice love 2 the best

[zig-123]

Hi,

#2 is a standout!

Well composed with great resolution and detail. I love the colors in that shot.

Zig