Red-bellied Flight

Gallery: AvianPosted January 26, 2012349 views19 comments

This is my third and last post of the Red-bellied Woodpecker inflight. My only capture with this POV & a full wingspread.
I baited the bird with sunflower seed from a high platform here.
F/11, 1/3200th, ISO 1250, 1D M3, 300mm f/2.8 + 1.4x ext and natural light around 11:00am.

Comments

19 comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on January 26, 2012 at 11:03 AM

Neat wing stretch and a good look at the eye with the bird's head tilted into the frame. I like your comp here Howard, and the open beak adds a bit of drama as well. Nice.

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by David Haynes on January 26, 2012 at 12:06 PM

Howard,
You amaze me with these types of shots with this bird. Tough to get these out in the open in a tree yet alone in flight. Nicely done. Love the head position, the wing position and the fact that you can see the feet. The whites are very nice.

Registered on February 20, 2010, 110 Posts, 1511 Comments

Comment posted by Kirk Greene on January 26, 2012 at 1:02 PM

The wingspread really makes for a strong overall composition! The light angle is perfect. I find myself wishing there were a little more depth of field. I would consider trying this set up again to see if f5.6 would still provide enough shutter speed to stop the flight action. Beside that, it looks like you have a great setup that would be a lot of fun to photograph again!

Correction: I mistakenly thought this image was shot at f2.7. Thanks to Ron B for emailing me to bring this error to my attention. Obviously f5.6 would be going the wrong direction from f11 if the intent is to increase DOF. Perhaps f16 @ 1/1600 would give a bit more DOF while still providing adequate shutter speed to freeze the flight action.

Registered on May 12, 2004, 191 Posts, 1578 Comments

Comment posted by John Robinson on January 26, 2012 at 2:51 PM

And another ! A very unusual flight position and pulled off to a tee !
JR

Registered on March 2, 2008, 535 Posts, 2453 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on January 26, 2012 at 4:54 PM

Nice Howard. Love the wing position. F/11 provided some nice DOF at that close range. Nice and sharp.

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

Comment posted by Bill Caldwell on January 26, 2012 at 6:29 PM

Awesome shot--love the wing spread, nice composition too!

Registered on October 10, 2011, 62 Posts, 508 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hansen on January 26, 2012 at 7:02 PM

These pictures continue to amaze me! I think this is my favorite of the series. Love the open wings, the lighting, and the absence of sunflower seed in its beak. I am going to keep practicing.

Registered on May 5, 2011, 161 Posts, 908 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on January 26, 2012 at 7:12 PM

Very nice. I'm fine with the DOF. Really like the wing position, open beak and bit of a look back.

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

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on January 26, 2012 at 8:32 PM

Your style has truely developed and i am pegging your images before I even see your name. This one is awesome with an awesome wing sread and nice and sharp too.The open bill is super Wish he was coming a little more at us instead of away but this is still awesome.

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Schiebelbein on January 26, 2012 at 10:26 PM

My favourite of the the three. This really shows his feather patterns the best.

Registered on November 8, 2008, 55 Posts, 393 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on January 26, 2012 at 10:49 PM

Nice flight position and overall composition.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on January 27, 2012 at 12:23 PM

I love the position of the bird and the wings, and I love the sharpness of the head.

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

Comment posted by Mauro Pasquero on January 27, 2012 at 5:42 PM

Terrific fight shot, Howard

Mauro

Registered on January 21, 2010, 650 Posts, 2500 Comments

Comment posted by Patricia Brundage on January 27, 2012 at 6:00 PM

Terrific series Howard. Each perfection but I think this is my favorite wing position. Thanks for the inspiration.

Registered on March 23, 2006, 1111 Posts, 6531 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on January 28, 2012 at 12:14 AM

Killer flight photo Howard

Sharp where it counts, excellent wing and body position, an open beak for a sweet bonus.

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on January 28, 2012 at 5:30 PM

Love it Howard, you are really mastering small birds (and insects) in flight. Outstanding shot.

Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Bunch on January 29, 2012 at 4:13 PM

Another nice WPIF shot. I prefer this wing pose to the previous ones.

Registered on May 18, 2004, 124 Posts, 2503 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on January 29, 2012 at 9:00 PM

Another neat flight shot Howard.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments

Comment posted by Roger Kirchen on January 31, 2012 at 8:52 PM

Howard, excellent shot. Sharp, well exposed and very interesting flight position. And a nice, uncluttered BG.

Registered on March 6, 2011, 95 Posts, 847 Comments