Blue Jay at rest on fresh fallen snow
When I set-up my songbird feeding station for winter songbird photography I also constructed an extension that a large section of a tree trunk is fastened to for photographing woodpeckers when they come in to feed on the suet I fastened to the back of the trunk, and out of view of the camera. I used a four foot length of 2 X 4 to construct this extension. This 2 X 4 has become a very important part of my set-up, because after a fresh snowfall it allows me to capture ‘ground-level’ images of the birds that choose to sit on the snow covered 2 X 4 while waiting their turn at the feeder. The resulting images look as though I was laying down in the snow when I was actually toasty warm, while sitting in my heated blind with a fresh brewed cup of coffee. Here are two of my favorite Blue Jay images from this year so far. They were photographed on a bitter cold morning at -20 Celsius. The Blue Jay is all fluffed up while trying to stay warm on this bitter day.
Blue Jay in winter
Sweet, sweet, sweet! They look so pretty all fluffed up like that. Just perfect photography.
No one could ever imagine how intelligent the Blue Jays are. I still laugh when I think of the one in captive that could make a ring exactly like the telephone :)
We happened to catch a movie the other night called “The Big Year” and it’s all about birding. It was an excellent movie and we don’t care what the reviews are, we gave it a big 10 stars! Don’t miss seeing it if you haven’t already!!
Thanks a bunch for the kind words Sandy. I often hear the Blue Jays around here mimic the call of Red-tailed Hawks.:)
Very nice Andrew. I love the first one. Thanks for the how-to and it’s nice to know your not freezing to death creating these images.
Much thanks Denise, I love the stare of the first one…looks like it has attitude. Lately it has been hard to freeze up here, yesterday was +8 Celsius and the snow is gone again…what a crazy winter :)
Hi Andrew,
I like Blue Jay in Winter.
Who ever said that Photography is “For The Birds?”
Mike
Thanks Michael, I just love the fluffy look to these two images.
Going to PA to do some waterfalls with my friend in April. Can’t wait to get my 14to24 on them.
Michael
Very nice bird!
Hi Cornel, thanks for stopping by and for the comments, much appreciated.