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Pygmy Nuthatch
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Pygmy Nuthatch

by Dennis Plank

Gallery: AvianPosted February 26, 2014112 views5 comments
(Thanks for the species correction, Nate) I took a couple of trips down to the Butte Valley from the Klamath Basin last week. While driving to Meiss Lake the road bordered some hills with nice stands of Ponderosa Pine. At one point, I heard bird action and spotted a snag 20-30 feet tall with a number of holes in it. It turned out that two Nuthatches were very active on it, one at only a bit above eye level. It was so intent on it's spring cleaning or redecorating, that it wasn't about to be bothered by a pesky photographer. I took quite a few shots hand held and since it was so cooperative, I got out the tripod and got some better ones. This is one of my favorites.

1Div, 500mm f4 ISL + 1.4TC, Black Widow Gimbal on RRS legs, f5.6, 1/1000, iso 500, Av mode with no compensation. Processed in LR5 & CS6. Cropped to 5.8MP. Taken on Thursday, February 20th at 11:11 am under slightly filtered sun.

Your comments and criticisms are most appreciated.

Thanks for looking,

Comments

5 comments
Comment posted by Rob Drummond on February 26, 2014 at 10:54 AM
Nice contrast between the bird and patterns in the bark Dennis
Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments
Comment posted by Nate Chappell on February 26, 2014 at 2:56 PM
Very nice shot of a Pygmy Nuthatch Dennis, I like the behavioe with it coming out of the nest, the lighting looks a little harsh. :toast:
Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments
Comment posted by Hans Overduin on February 26, 2014 at 3:56 PM
Nice behavioral image. The structure of the bark adds a lot to the image as well. :toast: , Hans
Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments
Comment posted by Simon Bennett on February 26, 2014 at 5:40 PM
Interesting behaviour and I like the bark texture and colours.
Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments
Comment posted by Rick Cloran on February 27, 2014 at 7:42 PM
Nice comp, good behavior, and I think you nailed the detail. This is one where I almost wish for flatter lighting to keep the sunlit warm browns and reds of the pine from competing with him. I've never seen one, so I would love to have this in my collection.
Registered on April 6, 2004, 119 Posts, 1989 Comments