Garden critters

[Aeros]

BJ-12 by Richard Jones, on Flickr

Rose Breasted Grosbeak-2 by Richard Jones, on Flickr

Rose-breasted Grosbeak-2a by Richard Jones, on Flickr

Garden Critters27 by Richard Jones, on Flickr

[JohnRostron]

All nice pictures. It does seem, however, that the Blue Jay just seems more photogenic than the poor Grosbeak, despite the fact that the Grosbeak poses are compositionally more interesting.

John

[Krawuntzel]

Hello Richard
what gorgeous birds you have in the garden! I especially like #1 and the pose of #4. The background in #2-4 is sub-optimal, because the bokeh is distracting from the bird. But sometimes one does not have the chance the takes would deserve.
Erwin

[IzzieK]

Richard -- all beautiful shots. I like #1 because I only saw one once in my backyard and despite buying him a bag of peanut treats he hasn't come back yet. My husband said they have a lot of those in Kansas (he was born and raised there) but most of what we have here so far are cardinals galore. They are beautiful too and I like them but I already have a lot of shots of them. I do not know if I have ever seen a GB here...I am tempted to remove my bird feeder lately. I like #2 and #4 of GB shots. I love bird shots. I want to do more...I envy you people who have so much creatures in your backyard to photograph.

[Shadowman]

Nice set.

[bnnrcn]

very nice series, I especially like #1

[Aeros]

All nice pictures. It does seem, however, that the Blue Jay just seems more photogenic than the poor Grosbeak, despite the fact that the Grosbeak poses are compositionally more interesting.

John

I wish I could take credit for the poses but as we all know with wildlife photography, we take what we are given, thanks John for looking and commenting.

[Aeros]

Hello Richard
what gorgeous birds you have in the garden! I especially like #1 and the pose of #4. The background in #2-4 is sub-optimal, because the bokeh is distracting from the bird. But sometimes one does not have the chance the takes would deserve.
Erwin

Erwin, at 800mm close cropped, bokeh is inevitable. I prefer bokeh as it pops the subject more. I just got lucky with all these shots especially the pose in #4. Some think luck is preparation meeting opportunity, I was prepared by having my camera and long glass set up while I relaxed in my garden, then the Gross Beak showed up and gave me these wonderful poses. The first and only male I have ever seen in my entire life. I cant believe my luck with this shot. Thanks for looking Erwin. BTW I think you have many bird species in Europe that provide interesting and colourful subjects. The Bull finch, jay, gold Finch, Green Plover and many more. I do agree though that some of our NA specimens do have a lot of colour.

[Aeros]

Nice set.

[Aeros]

very nice series, I especially like #1

Binnur, the Blue Jay is a very common bird widely distributed across North America. They are is some ways a nuisance as they predate the young of song birds. They have a jarring call almost as bad as a crow, but they more than make up for it with their colour. We have a Sparrow Hawk in our neighbourhood and it stooped on a robin but missed, the entire drama played out right in front of my kitchen window.

It makes me reflect about nature, if the hawk had killed the Robin, then the robins chicks would have starved in the nest. This brings to mind a short verse I wrote on this subject.... It crept from the shadows into the crimson dawn, hidden by its spots from an antelope fawn. It must succeed in its urgent cause, without malice and with no remorse. The leopard must feed her cubs yet another day, in the endless saga of predator and prey..... So the Blue Jays can cause havoc on small song bird chicks, but they are part of the grand scheme of things, the Sparrow Hawk would also be happy for a meal of Blue Jay. Thanks for looking Binnur.

[ied]

Great captures Richard. We see them in the fall Moros than summer.

Irene