Eurasian Jay
I have reached a weird place (for me). I am totally finished processing the images I have taken this year (2025). First time in 4 years to be totally caught up. I need to go on another trip. This is an image I took in Scotland at Alan MacFayden’s hides. These are Eurasian Jays. No, this is not a composite or GIF shot. All 3 of these birds were in the frame at the same time. Because I was shooting at f/11 with a 200 mm lens, the BG is not blurred and is a little distracting. I had to put up with this to try to get all the incoming birds within the DOF. Anyway, shot at 1/4000, ISO 2500, EC of -1.3 (can you believe that Scotland was “too sunny” during our visit?). Slight crop from L and top.
Country United Kingdom
Location Kirkcudbright, Scotland
Gender Unknown
Age Adult
Activity At a Bird Feeder, BIF (Bird in Flight)
- Created Timestamp08/14/2025 14:26:28
- CameraCanon EOS R5m2
- Aperture11
- CreditJim and/or Deb Babbitt
- Copyright2025
- Focal Length200
- Iso2500
- Shutter Speed1/4000
WOW – Fabulous!!
Yes, definitely a wow picture.
Thanks everyone for your thoughts. I posted this to demonstrate that we often (usually) have to make compromises when photographing birds. With this one, Mike was “right on” about his assumptions. Yes, I watched these birds coming in many times. There was a flock of 5-6 birds circulating. These were typical Jays. Lots of noise, squabbling, and interacting. At 200 mm lens length, at 20 meters distance, I had over 4 feet of DOF. In retrospect, I wish I had reduced the aperture to f/8. Would still have had enough DOF and would have rendered the BG a little more… Read more »