Thursday 10/5 ... I'll be heading to the Adirondacks where I met this Bluejay for a week or so with my Lady Fair. We hope to catch the Fall colors in that area I love so well. I'll have no access to the internet thus participation at Caedes will be impossible for that period. It will be difficult ... but I'll try to survive in a cozy little cabin, overlooking the Moose River, with birdfeeders in every window, the occasional deer dropping by to steal an apple off the picnic table by the side of the cabin ... not to mention a fireplace for the chill in the evenings ... I hope I'm up to handling the withdrawal. Didn't want my friends thinking old Muggsy had fallen off the planet ... ??? ... I'll pretend I didn't hear that chorus of "IF ONLY THAT WERE SO" echoing throughout Caedes.

We'll miss you bunches John but know that you'll have a fab time where you're headed. Sounds glorious and I know you'll come back with a parcel full of new wonderful posts. This one is so beautiful. He's clear, clean, crisp, totally blue and wonderful -- a keeper for sure. I went back and looked at the original post and it's just as perfect ;) Take care and enjoy. Thanks for bringing us such wonderful work. Anita

CLASS!

beautiful colours saturation contrast DETAIL on the bird wow! etc
the muted background complements the main subject perfectly
and the sparkle in his eye gives the whole thing that real life burst that edges it ahead of other bird portraits

id have been tempted to remove the two bits of twig from his head
they are a classic ... looks like its growing out of his head kind of thing
it wouldnt hurt to try to clone them out

other than that its easily a 9 :)

Wonderful picture :) I have saved it. Have a great holiday and try not to fret lol. Look forward to more wonderful pictures on your return
Eve

This is one of the best BlueJay photo's i've seen! Well done!

Doggone it, John, I already miss you! I'll be feeling real sorry for you that you'll have to be suffereing all that peace, quiet and natural contentment!! Have a grand time! And this bluejay is looks marvelous! What a perfect composition and a real treat to see. - Patty

Well, thks for telling us how long you'll be gone. Your leaving right now?....hey wait....I wanted to tell ya what a purty birdie this is....this is one of the best birdie pics I have ever.........(humf, he's left already. Didn't say when he would be back.....sniff...sniff
whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa...
Pat

I thought this bird looked familiar & this had to be yours John. I remember the first time I uploaded an image it was in a smaller size & that's one of the first things you learn on Caedes is to resize. Enjoy your fall get-a-way & get lot's of wonderful pic's. Most importantly just relax, but don't be away too long ... I heard a rumor that Pat & Jerry were in charge while you are away. LOL. A lovely capture of this Bluejay & thanks for the larger size. :-)

There you go. Showing off the nice images you "back east" people can get of beautiful birds. I wish we had more colorful birds likethis Bluejay here in Colorado. Very nice capture nuggsey.

I'm gonna miss you like crazy......

Really good pic, especially since I'm sure he didn't stay there long! Wish I was going to a cool place w/colored leaves everywhere - gotta drive a few hours from here to see that! I'm sure you'll have lots of great new pics for us - enjoy!

I am glad that i have seen this image in 1024x768 now, it is a stunning image, just look at those lovely feathers swaying a little in the wind... one of the best bird images i have seen here.

This "Voting Booth" thing has it's rewards ... such as being rewarded with this image.

I was struck by the composition and technical talent exhibited when I saw this in the voting booth ... and even more so now, after having had an opportunity to digest this offering of yours.

There is alot that is right with this shot. It's a fantastic portrait. Truly. The background serves to really highlight and contrast with the vivid blues of the Bluejay.

I think it is a superb photo of this fine-feathered specimen.

Caveats? Hmm, but only a few small minor ones. I am unsure of what is happening with the area of the birds breast, or more particularly, just under that on it's abdomen. There appears to be some conflict that is happening with the clarity. That may rest with just this viewer.

Additionally, I would have liked to have seen the very small distracting area located directly behind, and just under the bird itself ... simplified. Just a thought, and as always ... just a suggestion. Cloning or stamping that area so that there was more or less a uniform backdrop of those gorgeous soft, muted colours would have placed this image in the stratosphere for me.

Make no mistake though, I really do enjoy this image. Very much so, as evidenced by the 'number' I did attach to it in the voting booth. Hmm? Oh no ... I can't divulge that ... I hope you are pleasantly surprised when it is revealed to you. :o)

Thank you for going the extra distance and reposting this in the larger resolutions. And thank you for sharing your talents.

Aww it sounds like you're going to have a terrible time.. just imagine being stuck in a little cabin, deer stealing your food.. birds making such a noise you can't rest.. and NOT being able to Caedes for sooooo long.. :)) Well. OK OK>. i admit it.. i'm JEALOUS... This image is just lovely.. the clarity is great.. that colours and feathers almost come to life on my screen.... You've done wonderful here..

Enjoy your time away.. we'll survive .. difficult.. but we will.. and we anticipate your return with AWSOME pictures of the deer.. birds and cabin..

Have a save trip.. God be with you!

Thanks for reposting this larger...a marvellous shot muggsy...have a wonderful time away but don't be gone too long...we'll miss you...meanwhile, into my favs this goes.:Pat.

Hi John,
Thanks for letting me know you had reposted this. It is a splendid photograph with excellent composition, great color and sharp detail. It's in my favs now and downloaded to my desktop.
JoAnn

John, this is the best bird photo I have seen on this site, goes in my favs. So glad you re-posted it. Enjoy your vacation, we will all miss you, but will also look forward to all the pics you will have when you return, enjoy your cozy cabin and all your bird feeders, but put the camera down for a few hours a day and just enjoy God's beauty.

This is a beautiful re-post John. I really enjoyed your first submission but, I have to confess this one is just amazing. Such a beautiful bird and I do wish you a wonderful get away.

Beautiful shot John. Only going away for a week makes us only expect some good photos when you get back.

cheers.

I am jealous John. I wish I could join you to visit Adirondacks... and to see the Moose River with all what mother nature has to offer. I wish you some unbelivable sights once you land far away from civilisation.

As to the capture, I wish you didn't blur some parts of the bird. It seems disturbing in full size.

An awesome colorful Blue Jay full of spunk, great capture here.

Another super shot. Love the background, as well as the Bluejay.

Jim

Lovely Bluejay. Terrific photo. Colors and details are marvelous. 10/10