Acorn Woodpecker

Gallery: AvianPosted January 3, 201191 views9 comments

I was going through and organizing all my files from last year and trying to pull some stuff to post. I don't think I ever posted any Acorn Woodpeckers over the summer, so I thought I'd contribute to the recent bunch.

This one gave me a pretty nice pose, with a rather stern look. I like the oak setting also. I never posted any of these because the light was getting pretty harsh. 7:23am on 27 Jun is getting pretty late for photography in AZ. It took quite a bit of effort to tame the reds on the head, which are still pretty wild.

Your comments and critiques are appreciated. Please view larger version if possible.

Canon 7D, 500mm + 1.4x, monopod

f/5.6, 1/1000, ISO 500 -2/3s stop.

Crop to 69% (12.5 of 18MP)

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on January 3, 2011 at 8:47 PM

Brian, what a wonderful shot! The light doesn't bother me. To me the light on the bird is fine, and the bird stands out so well from the background and is so detailed and clear. Good composition, too.

Registered on July 27, 2010, 1310 Posts, 5035 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on January 3, 2011 at 9:19 PM

Fantastic image. Before I read your comment, I was thinking how well the reds are here. I find that them hardest to "tame" as you say. Great details in those blacks and really sharp all over. The only harsh light that I can even appreciate is just over the beak. And then, only because you seem insistent that it's not perfect. Well done.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Twaddell on January 3, 2011 at 10:03 PM

I like it! The exposure looks very well managed! The bird looks like it must have been bathing or something. Nice one.

Registered on August 16, 2007, 199 Posts, 2132 Comments

Comment posted by Sally King on January 3, 2011 at 10:52 PM

Super nice. Instead of like a clown (which is how acorn woodpeckers usually feel to me) this one seems arrogant. Nice handling of the black, white, and the red. Perfect aloof pose.

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

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on January 3, 2011 at 11:11 PM

Nice details, he does seem quite pleased with himself.

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Andy Shepherd on January 4, 2011 at 2:41 PM

There have been some very good shots of this species posted lately, and this is another beauty, good work, Brian.

Andy...

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

Comment posted by Terry Sohl on January 4, 2011 at 8:15 PM

Nice job with a tough exposure. You pulled a lot of detail out of the whites and blacks here. Yes, bright light, but it works for me.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 513 Posts, 6889 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Lotito on January 4, 2011 at 8:53 PM

Fantastic woodpecker image! This is not one we see in the east so I thank you for sharing!

Registered on June 26, 2009, 181 Posts, 1558 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on January 5, 2011 at 3:43 PM

The AZ harsh morning light is a hard one to deal with but this one looks fine to me, nice pose and a good job on such a difficult contrast image.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments