Male Downy

Gallery: AvianPosted March 24, 2012131 views7 comments

I don't think I have ever seen such a hyperactive downy woodpecker. This guy was all over this tree, making it difficult to shoot. I know they commonly cling to the underside of a branch to feed, but I don't think I have seen any pictures of this behavior. Would this look better if it was rotated 90 degrees CW?
D300
300F4
1.4 TC
F6.3
1/1250
ISO 640
HH

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on March 24, 2012 at 9:08 PM

Nice detail and texture in the branch; natural colors. I find the upside down position interesting and worth documenting - in fact I posted a Gila Woodpecker here at NPN back in 2007 feeding in an upside down position.

I wish there was more detail visible in the black feathers of this shot. I also wish there wasn't a "halo" around the woodpecker where the blue sky is lighter - probably from using shadow/highlight to open the shadows or perhaps from dodging or other tonal adjustments.

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

Comment posted by Sally Wood on March 24, 2012 at 10:55 PM

I love these little guys! And you sure got him in a downy moment... makes you just want to rub his tummy!

Registered on March 8, 2012, 39 Posts, 509 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Harris on March 25, 2012 at 12:55 PM

Love the pose and your composition. If the behavior is as presented then do not rotate it. To me this captures the downy's behavior. Nice.

Registered on August 2, 2010, 169 Posts, 741 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Cross on March 25, 2012 at 1:57 PM

Keep the photo as shown wirh the bird upside down. It documents reality and, in fact, makes the photo a bit more interesting. I agree with Richard regarding trying to tweak a little more detail out of the black feathers. You did really well on the whites. The branch is a very nice perch, good comp., and a nice pose from the bird. I like this image.

Registered on April 3, 2010, 271 Posts, 1342 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on March 26, 2012 at 6:55 AM

Nice one Jim - nice to see a different perspective. Great detail in the branch

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on March 26, 2012 at 1:41 PM

I like the picture as is because it shows a different pose, nice job in getting this.

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

Comment posted by Jim Hansen on March 27, 2012 at 3:58 PM

Thanks for all the helpful comments everyone. What a great asset everyone is in helping us all to learn and improve. I am going to work on those blacks and the halo. I am understanding more about what I need to do. Richard, love your shot of the Gila woodpecker. Thanks again!

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