Shooting from the hip

European Jay, Prospect Park, Reading, UK

Canon R5 MkII + RF200-800

And I'm not kidding about shooting from the hip. I was sitting on a bench having a coffee break, and this bird hoped onto the branch maybe 3 yards away. Jays are shy birds at the best of times, and there was no way this one would tolerate bringing the camera to the eye that close. So I left it at 200mm, pointed it as best I might with as little movement as possible and snapped blind. So, in the circumstances, even if the twig in front of the Jay was the point of focus, I'm pleased with the result!

The Jay then flew a little further into the trees - so I got in theory a better shot, at full focal length, but alas in the shade: