Hybrid Sapsucker

Gallery: AvianPosted July 19, 2013312 views10 comments

Poulsbo, WA
This was a lucky "grab shot" as the woodpecker was there for about 5 seconds and I got only 4 images.

2013:07:08 20:33:27
500mm
1/50 sec, f/4.5
Mode: Av
Metering: Spot
ISO: 250
AF mode: AF-C
White balance: AUTO1
Flash: Off
Hand-held at dusk

Sapsuckers are fairly common in the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia. Four species are currently recognized, but species limits are unclear and hybridization is frequent. Some studies show that about 33% of sapsuckers are hybrids.
This one appears to be red-breasted x red-naped.

For those interested, here is another hybrid from BC a couple yrs ago:
http://www.naturephotographers.net/imagecritique/ic.cgi?a=vp&pr=150293&CGISESSID=4ab0fb82689727c7574fe391b19993f6&u=6234

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on July 19, 2013 at 5:27 PM

Very nice Sandy, I particularly like the sap wells and the background.

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

Comment posted by scott lanz on July 19, 2013 at 9:14 PM

Nice grab shot, Sandy. Really like the bg and the way it complements the red-headed sapsucker.

Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on July 19, 2013 at 10:33 PM

I like the perch and bg in this. Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on July 20, 2013 at 12:36 AM

Beautiful feather details in this one Sandy

Sweet portrait in his environment.

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

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on July 20, 2013 at 12:59 AM

Sandy,

Great image the bark looks weird but the bird is a beauty

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by John Neukirch on July 20, 2013 at 7:49 AM

Simply gorgeous! My eye is drawn slightly down to the OOF foliage in front of the branch but that certainly is minor.

Registered on July 9, 2012, 207 Posts, 1476 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on July 20, 2013 at 8:55 AM

Love the colours Sandy

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

Comment posted by May Haga on July 20, 2013 at 9:37 AM

Interesting bird. Excellent capture.
May

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

Comment posted by S Govindarajan on July 20, 2013 at 12:58 PM

Nice sharp image, Sandy. Very well composed with the limited time you had. The tree with sap wells add a lot of interest to this image.

Registered on April 19, 2008, 115 Posts, 1921 Comments

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on July 21, 2013 at 2:01 PM

Nice color palet throughout the image ! You took advantage of the little time you were offered ! Cheers, Hans

Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments