Recommended camera settings#
Focal length needed to frame it#
For a subject about 45 cm long filling a third or half of the frame width horizontally.
| Distance | ⅓ of frame (FF) | ½ of frame (FF) | ⅓ of frame (APS-C) | ⅓ of frame (MFT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 m (16 ft) | 129 mm | 192 mm | 86 mm | 64 mm |
| 10 m (33 ft) | 257 mm | 385 mm | 171 mm | 129 mm |
| 15 m (49 ft) | 386 mm | 577 mm | 257 mm | 193 mm |
| 20 m (66 ft) | 514 mm | 769 mm | 343 mm | 257 mm |
| 30 m (98 ft) | 772 mm | 1,154 mm | 514 mm | 386 mm |
| 50 m (164 ft) | 1,286 mm | 1,923 mm | 857 mm | 643 mm |
About the Steller's Jay#
The Steller's jay (Cyanocitta stelleri) is a jay native to western North America, closely related to the blue jay found in the rest of the continent, but with a black head and upper body. It is also known as the long-crested jay, mountain jay, and pine jay. It is the only crested jay west of the Rocky Mountains.
Summary adapted from Wikipedia via iNaturalist (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Field-craft tips#
- Very intelligent and wary — use a vehicle as a hide.
- Black plumage needs +0.3 to +0.7 EV to show feather detail.
- Bird-eye AF with continuous focus (AF-C/AI Servo); fill at least a third of the frame.
- Sightings peak in April, May, June, July, August and September, which is when you'll have the most chances.
Ethics#
- The welfare of the animal comes first: if it changes its behaviour because of you, you are too close.
- Stay on trails, respect closures around nests, leks, dens and haul-outs.
- Avoid playback and baiting in sensitive seasons; never bait predators.
- Don't share precise locations of rare, nesting or roosting animals publicly.
More Crows, Jays, and Magpies#
Frequently asked questions#
What lens do I need to photograph a Steller's Jay?
At about 45 cm long, a steller's jay fills a third of a full-frame image at 10 m with roughly 257 mm, or at 20 m with 514 mm.
What shutter speed should I use for a Steller's Jay?
1/800 s when it's still; 1/2500–1/3200 s for action.
When is the best time to photograph a Steller's Jay?
Observations in North America peak in April, May, June, July, August and September. Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and activity.
Sources & licences#
- iNaturalist — Observation data CC BY-NC; photo licence as credited
- Wikipedia — CC BY-SA 4.0
Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources