Western Scrub-Jay

A very nice shot Linda. I like the OOF cliffs in the BG. The light and perch are wonderful. The bird is a little too centered for me. I would trim some off the left. Shoot first and ask questions later can be a great thing sometiimes, especially when you come home with this nice image.

The red rocks of Sedona in the background make this one unique. Well done.

Love your BG here. Excellent.

I also like the BG, and everything else. I'll disagree somewhat with Alan since trimming off the left would lose the steep rise of the distant canyon wall, which I think is one of this shot's strengths. But to accomplish the same ends, perhaps your original has a little more room on the right.

Perhaps it's worth mentioning that the W Scrub Jays in AZ are of the interior race (obvious I guess), quite different than Pacific coastal birds in many respects and in my opinion worthy of consideration to be split off as a separate species. Photos of this form are also much more seldom seen.

Shoot first and ask questions later - words for a wildlife photographer to live by !

I agree with EJ. The BG instantly told me the general location of this shot. The unique BG might almost overcome the central location of the Jay in the image. A very nice shot.

Nice Linda!! The BG is excellent.

A very nice shot, Linda. BG with those red rocks is excellent.

Well done, Linda. Love the perch and BG. Super.

Mike Danzenbaker wrote:Perhaps it's worth mentioning that the W Scrub Jays in AZ are of the interior race (obvious I guess), quite different than Pacific coastal birds in many respects and in my opinion worthy of consideration to be split off as a separate species. Photos of this form are also much more seldom seen.

I agree with you on that Mike - they are quite different from the coasal Western Scrubs.

Just the slight crop !!!! Excellent image Linda

A terrific shot, Linda! :roll:

Thank you for the additional information on this bird and the suggestions. As I mentioned, this species is not one that I would see at home in Oklahoma. I plan on experimenting with the crop. The original has more space on both sides so I will see how extending the right edge looks as compared the cropping the left. There are good arguments for doing it either way.

Sweet and different. I'm undecided about the crop. One thing to consider is that if you do have more image on the right, the rising or peaking ridge there might offset the lost cliffs on the left, while balancing the bird.