Harassed

Gallery: AvianPosted August 3, 2017174 views11 comments

I captured this image in my front yard. There have been dozens of Mississippi Kites in my neighborhood chasing the latest batch of Cicadas. The songbirds, including this Blue Jay, continually harassed the Kites. I suppose they didn't like the competition for food. I liked the high key effect.

Canon 1DX Mark II
Canon 200-400 f4 L IS
f5.6
1/1000s
Focal Length 560mm (Teleconverter Engaged)
ISO 640

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on August 4, 2017 at 7:52 AM

Great catch! Even though the heads are not in an ideal position, eyes are still visible.
Love the greenery too.
Fine shot!
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Yun Gao on August 5, 2017 at 12:20 AM

I like very much the high key effect here. This has an illustration feel. Both birds are beautiful. The branches are different and interesting, at least for me. I noticed some color fringing around the leaves under the Blue Jay. Really minor though. Very nicely done!

Registered on September 11, 2012, 267 Posts, 1621 Comments

Comment posted by Lucy VanSwearingen on August 5, 2017 at 4:05 AM

LOVELY!

Registered on May 23, 2009, 800 Posts, 2042 Comments

Comment posted by Lucy VanSwearingen on August 5, 2017 at 4:07 AM

Lovely....I don't know if it's my screen or not, but I see a squared set of shadows (not quite white) starting in front of the kite...continuing across the top branches

Registered on May 23, 2009, 800 Posts, 2042 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on August 5, 2017 at 6:07 PM

I like the high key look to this as well as the comp Jerry, I do wish they were either looking at each other or toward the camera more. I have a few of these guys in my neighborhood as well and have photographed them some, but the best shots are of them landing on power lines. devil

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Allen Brooks on August 5, 2017 at 11:39 PM

Pretty cool shot. Works well with the high key effect. I like the foliage and positioning of the birds. I would have liked a bit more head turn and better look at the Jay's eye, but a small nit. Great shot. devil

Registered on July 27, 2011, 262 Posts, 2597 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Zablotny on August 6, 2017 at 7:20 AM

Hi Jerry,

Great shot. I like the comp with our 2 subjects giving each other the eye. Well done.........................Jim

Registered on January 17, 2004, 705 Posts, 3594 Comments

Comment posted by Mike Ramy on August 6, 2017 at 2:47 PM

Hey Jerry,
I like this composition in all respects, the large version is excellent.
Well done . . . devil

Registered on June 16, 2012, 567 Posts, 2809 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on August 6, 2017 at 6:59 PM

The high key really works here, Jerry. I like the way the Kite is eyeing the Blue Jay. I think I see the issue Lucy is referring to. Looks like a slight cloning artifact around and above the upper body of the kite.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Minish on August 7, 2017 at 2:28 AM

This is a very artistic rendition, Jerry! The details and colors in the birds are excellent (in the branches and fruit also). Not quite sure how you got the mostly pure white background without overexposing the birds but I'm guessing it involved a fair amount of work. The bottom line is that the result is quite striking! Nice job!

Registered on February 4, 2006, 625 Posts, 3583 Comments

Comment posted by David Schoen on August 7, 2017 at 11:33 AM

This is especially nice in the larger image. Nice behavior. I can see some of the issues with respect to criticism from both Nate and Lucy however I think this is still a very strong photograph. Good high key avian photography.

Registered on November 6, 2006, 1213 Posts, 4587 Comments