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Pileated Woodpecker
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Pileated Woodpecker

by Terry Sohl

Gallery: AvianPosted November 17, 2012154 views6 comments
These guys are few and far between in South Dakota, as you can imagine, and I've never seen one here. I was headed down to a football game in Lincoln NE though and stopped at DeSoto NWR, and was pleasantly surprised when this guy popped up on a tree very close to me. First time I've ever gotten photos of one.

Canon 50D, 400 5.6L, 1/320, f6.3, ISO 400.

Comments

6 comments
Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on November 17, 2012 at 3:55 PM
Great catch! Even when they are fairly plentiful, it's tough to get one in the clear.
Nice pose and detail.
Tough exposure with the bright BG and dark bird - the head seems a little light - perhaps some selective darkening would work well.
Sandy
Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments
Comment posted by Richard Ditch on November 18, 2012 at 3:27 PM
Nice find and good composition. I've seen this species in three states and have no photos of it.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments
Comment posted by Ron Dudley on November 18, 2012 at 6:21 PM
Great find, Terry - bet you were excited. I too like your comp.
Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments
Comment posted by Jim Hackley on November 19, 2012 at 2:54 PM
Wonderful find and nice job getting this shot. I have never seen one of these. Interesting to see the color variation from gray on the head to a black tail. Way to go.
Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments
Comment posted by May Haga on November 19, 2012 at 5:43 PM
Nice catch Terry. We have these birds in a provincial park about 50 km outside the city but they are not very cooperative. Some day I hope to get them in a nice pose like this.
May
Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments
Comment posted by Gary Gulash on November 19, 2012 at 11:51 PM
Always a thrill to add a bird to your list, especially this cool species. Good job catching him in profile . Looks like tricky shooting conditions, bright background and dark tree but you did well. Their head doesn't stay still very long, looks like just a hint of movement on the eye in the larger version. Good job, especially with a relatively modest focal length. :toast:
Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments