Acorn Woodpecker

Gallery: AvianPosted January 3, 201174 views8 comments

Since there seems to be a run on Acorn Woodpeckers, I thought that I would throw my contribution in, too! This was taken on a recent road trip down to Arizona from Washington State, just across the California border. I was getting groggy, so I though that I would pull in to the next rest stop. I did, and found an old picnic table to lay on. I heard some tapping, and looked up into the tree above me and looking down at me was one of these guys! They were busy filling an old snag with acorns. This is a lifer for me, it just goes to show that you never know!

Olympus e3
Olympus ED 300 f2.8 w/2x
ISO 400
f5.7
1/160th
60% of FF
Neat Image on the bg

Comments and critiques welcome. Thanks.

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on January 3, 2011 at 1:18 AM

Good detail and colors on the bird Michael. I like the background. The left side of the stump could be a bit more esthetic but on the other hand it provides a good environmental context for the bird. I chuckled at your description of how this photo was accomplished. Those well laid plans....and ultimately you crash on a picnic table and you hear some "tapping"...too funny.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Avi Hirschfield on January 3, 2011 at 7:06 AM

Mike as you say you never know when its going to happen.
A great shot with good details in the blacks

Registered on November 1, 2003, 518 Posts, 2114 Comments

Comment posted by richard remington on January 3, 2011 at 11:50 AM

Mike,

I love the detail on the black feathers. the head angle is nice and the crop and bg work very well. Thanks for sharing.

Rick

Registered on March 12, 2010, 105 Posts, 368 Comments

Comment posted by Craig Strand on January 3, 2011 at 12:11 PM

Hey Mike Nice job. I love the pose and broken snag.... well done!

Registered on March 30, 2008, 416 Posts, 2885 Comments

Comment posted by Sally King on January 3, 2011 at 2:22 PM

I love these birds with their hard to expose colors. You did that very well. I like the looking over the shoulder pose. Great story.

Registered on December 2, 2008, 416 Posts, 4450 Comments

Comment posted by Andy Shepherd on January 3, 2011 at 3:04 PM

This is a beautiful woodpecker, and a great looking shot of it too. My only very minor nit, would be I'd to see just a touch off of the lefthand side, just to aid the comp.

Andy...

Registered on September 24, 2006, 123 Posts, 1254 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on January 3, 2011 at 8:51 PM

sweet pose and nice details, Mike. gotta love those random payouts of birding.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on February 7, 2011 at 7:31 AM

Is this a woodpecker or a beaver

Cool pose, the colors & exposure look excellent.
Nice details and BG as well

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments