Pileated Woodpecker

Gallery: AvianPosted August 23, 2011179 views10 comments

I was just able to get focussed on this guy as he was disappearing into the foliage. This is a major crop. so I am wondering about the inclusion of the OOF oak leaves in the frame to allow for a decent sized final shot. Anything cropped smaller shows noise too badly in the belly and tail areas.

Nikon D300; Sigma 500/4.5; f7.1 @1/1600th; ISO 400; HH; approx. 50%FF.

All comments and suggestions most welcome.

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Allen Brooks on August 23, 2011 at 1:21 PM

I think the leaves add to the action of the shot and gives it context. The woodpecker seems very intent on getting into the foliage. Good capture under tough circumstances.

Registered on July 27, 2011, 262 Posts, 2597 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie Baugh on August 23, 2011 at 2:12 PM

Just my opinion but this is excellent. I can't imagine how you could improve on such a great action, flight shot.

Charlie

Registered on April 18, 2011, 329 Posts, 1985 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on August 23, 2011 at 5:03 PM

I like the action Tom. In the larger version it seems like the bird's head might be a bit over sharpened as it looks a bit "crispy" to me. IMO, you made the correct decision not to crop in any further.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Marquart on August 23, 2011 at 7:29 PM

Nice shot Tom, the bird's right wing got very close but didn't block the view to the crest which is a big plus. I like it the way it is with the foliage but if you don't like it, it would be really simple to remove it by cloning the sky over it in PS.

Registered on October 24, 2009, 126 Posts, 799 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on August 23, 2011 at 8:04 PM

I wouldn't crop this any further either Tom. I like the way the head stands out against the blue sky.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Carol Nichols on August 23, 2011 at 9:26 PM

Tom, I like the inclusion of the leaves in the image as it lets the viewer know where the bird is heading. The windspread you captured is really nice and, of course, the beautiful red feathers are a stand out.

Registered on November 7, 2007, 161 Posts, 1420 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on August 23, 2011 at 9:48 PM

It does look like you're on the verge crop-wise, Tom. I don't mind the oak leaves, though if you have any room on the bottom, I think it would work a little better with more room there and less on top. Nice clear eye and a great job getting on one of these at all.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on August 24, 2011 at 1:08 AM

Definitely a keeper. I'll vote for a bit more room at the bottom as per Dennis' suggestion. You can definitely sense his urgency to get into those bushes, therefore I think you need to keep the foliage for context.

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

Comment posted by KC Choo on August 24, 2011 at 12:18 PM

Looks pretty good to me as-is, although I'd give more room at the bottom as well.

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Lotito on August 25, 2011 at 4:39 PM

Really great seeing one of these let alone getting the flight shot! Congrats on woody in flight.

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