Dull Blue Jay under lack of sunlight
I took this photo of a Blue Jay under very cloudy, dark and dreary conditions as a comparative example to the bird that I previously photographed and posted that was in full sunlight. See, when there is considerably less light the species appears far less blue because it is all an illusion of sorts. Missing out on the vibrant shades of some species during overcast conditions is not a deception of our eyes – the colors are just not there! Those tricky birds… Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreRing-billed Gull in the low sun
Winter is coming. This Ring-billed Gull’s face is illuminated by a low sun as our days are becoming shorter and shorter. Are you ready to feel the coming season in this week’s weather? Snow and frigid temperatures, in relative terms for mid-November, are on the way as waterways freeze even faster than last year. Lake Superior has ice supposedly a full 10 days ahead of fall 2013. However, I doubt we will see the heart of this winter nearly as cold as that extreme season. Bundle up! Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreBlue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)
I feel as if I am still being constantly reminded of the many Blue Jays (Cyanocitta cristata) around with acorns crunching under my feet and calls of busy birds screeching out of yards, parks, and woodlands. They can look so vibrantly blue on sunny days, but that color is caused by sunlight being scattered by specialized cells in their feather barbs. Yep, the Blue Jay has no blue pigment! Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
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