Familiar Flyer

Gallery: AvianPosted November 21, 2011346 views16 comments

The Blue Jay's a "familiar" flyer across America. Not many days go by when I don't see this bird in action, and I never take it for granted.

This Thanksgiving I have many things to be thankful for.
I'm thankful for this talented community of photographers just to name one. I never take for granted this Republic, or the great state of Texas in which I live. I'm thankful that I've had some success this year in getting published, with the latest right here in my home state.
Shot this morning under overcast/rainy skies. Not the best shooting conditions..but that usually doesn't stop me from trying.
F/5.6, 1/2000th, ISO 1250, 1D M3, 300mm f/2.8 + 1.4x. Cropped from the original TIFF @ 57.7MB to an even 40MB.

You can see the Texas Parks & Wildlife Magazine's winning image here: http://www.tpwmagazine.com/photography/

Comments

16 comments

Comment posted by Fabio Giarrizzo on November 21, 2011 at 1:54 PM

Thanks for sharing this pretty picture, Howard- The pose, DOF and the wings position are awesome, and I like very much the smooth blendind between the subject and the background- Congrats for this beauty and for your last success, Fabio

Registered on December 3, 2010, 90 Posts, 1614 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on November 21, 2011 at 2:42 PM

Awesome flight action Howard!!! This one has it all, great wing position showing movement, fanned out tail and legs preparing for landing.

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Avi Hirschfield on November 21, 2011 at 3:06 PM

Great flight shot with great wingspread

Registered on November 1, 2003, 518 Posts, 2114 Comments

Comment posted by Scott Frye on November 21, 2011 at 4:24 PM

How do they keep from breaking those nails? Love the action and complementary background

Registered on February 3, 2007, 387 Posts, 1136 Comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on November 21, 2011 at 5:15 PM

Outstanding capture Howard, this is incredible. The wing position and tail couldn't be better and the focus is right on target. Great work!!!

Ray

(having trouble with the publication link)

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on November 21, 2011 at 7:39 PM

Very nice image as posted. Caught at a perfect instant to show off the wings and tail. Good sharpness and exposure. Excellent image quality for such a high ISO.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Roger Leekam on November 22, 2011 at 8:32 AM

Howard, great action shot! Obviously the far wing is out of focus, but in my opinion the feather detail in the rest of the bird more than makes up for it.

Registered on May 28, 2009, 83 Posts, 646 Comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on November 22, 2011 at 8:58 AM

Beautiful flight shot. You captured a wonderful pose. Love the BG. Very nice.

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Schiebelbein on November 22, 2011 at 8:26 PM

Nice capture. I like the intense look in his eye. Very impressive considering the conditions you had.

Registered on November 8, 2008, 55 Posts, 393 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on November 22, 2011 at 9:32 PM

Love this flight shot. Congrats on another publication. The www doesn't seem to go anywhere for me.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Ashley Vincent on November 22, 2011 at 10:40 PM

Awesome capture Howard, and congratulations on your well-deserved recognition my friend :^)

BTW, the site of your link doesn't appear for me either :^.

Registered on March 1, 2011, 154 Posts, 2083 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Teller on November 22, 2011 at 10:45 PM

Great shot. The separation from the background is great. The dof, detaul and background are great.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on November 24, 2011 at 12:27 AM

Very cool flight shot Howard, I like the wing and tail spread and the position of the feet really add to the image, wonderful background color compliments the image as well, well done and Happy Thanksgiving.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on November 26, 2011 at 10:24 PM

Great flight shot Howard. Nice feather fan in both the wings and tail, and great detail. A common bird very well captured.

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on November 28, 2011 at 10:38 PM

Great to catch this flight shot. Also congratulations on having the winning image for the Jan/Feb issue of Texas Parks and Wildlife
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on November 29, 2011 at 9:15 PM

I somehow missed this shot Howard and shouldn't have as I like it a lot. Great plumage display and a top notch image. Congrats on your honor!

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments