Red-naped Sapsucker

Gallery: AvianPosted February 5, 2017980 views7 comments

Red-naped Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus nuchalis)

Place: Phoenix, AZ
Date: January 30, 2017, 10:23 am
Equipment: Nikon D7200, Nikkor AF-S 300mm f/4D ED-IF, hand held
Exposure: Aperture priority spot meter, ISO 800, 1/500^th sec @ f/5.6
Raw, PS CC 2017, Mac, 70% of frame

I rarely see Red-naped Sapsucker in our yard, and more rarely get any chance to photograph one here. I was lucky when I saw this one land on the back side of a branch and was ready when it moved briefly to this location just outside the window.

As always: honest critiques requested; all comments appreciated.

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on February 5, 2017 at 3:44 PM

I like the pose of the woodpecker and the gnarly bark it is on. The light didn't do you any favors for this image. It would have been nice to have light on the side of the bird facing the camera, or a complete backlit subject with some drama.

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on February 5, 2017 at 4:07 PM

Excellent detail, you handled the contrasty lighting well here Richard, I might take a bit more from the left. devil

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

Comment posted by Dan Kearl on February 5, 2017 at 5:47 PM

I think for the challenging back lighting you did well. The bird and the bark look sharp and well exposed.

Registered on September 2, 2013, 209 Posts, 1514 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on February 5, 2017 at 7:24 PM

Superb detail, and nice pose and excellent handling of the rather difficult lighting, Richard. Maybe just a touch off the bottom? Very well done.

devil

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on February 5, 2017 at 7:45 PM

A cool bird to get in the yard. Yeah, the lighting.... still you did well. I like the bark and all around setting. devil

Registered on October 18, 2006, 644 Posts, 4801 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on February 5, 2017 at 9:22 PM

Not the best light, but you handled it very well. Great pose from this fellow, your usual excellent techs, and nice BG.
Well- done!
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Mike Ramy on February 13, 2017 at 11:26 AM

Hey Richard,
Cool shot with a lot of interest. The lighting has been mentioned but you pulled off a good image from what you were given. I can see taking a little off the left as that area of the background tree that curves in draws my eye away from the subject.

Registered on June 16, 2012, 567 Posts, 2809 Comments