Pileated + repost

Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)

Judging from its markings this is a female Pileated Woodpecker. However, I did not expect the brownish area above the bill.

At first this bird was determined to elude me: yesterday, as I tromped through mud in a wide circle for a better view it watched me until I raised my camera and then it relocated to another difficult-to-access spot. I left for a while and, on my return, I stumbled across her again. This time, strangely, she was much more cooperative and let me approach to 84 yards. Using the flash at the max sync speed of 1/250 s showed too much motion blur. This image was at 1/1000 s but required an iso of 1000 since, at this distance, the high speed sync mode flash could not contribute much light. NR and sharpening were necessary. The feet show some evidence of motion blur. However, she seems to be in mid hop in this shot. I find it a bit different and an attractive image. It reminds me of how interesting it was to watch this powerful bird in action.

I look forward to your assessments.

EOS 7D, EF 400mm f/5.6, 580EX II: ISO 1000, f/8.0, 1/1000 s, image is 2891 pixels x 2753 pixels (=8MP or 44% of the 18 MP of the 7D).