Unmistakably Woody

Gallery: AvianPosted March 26, 20181,904 views5 comments

<div>Click on the image above or the expansion symbol under it to see a larger view.
</div> <div>... If not Woody, it HAS to be a Pileated Woodpecker. People who are not birders often say "Woody Woodpecker" when they see a Pileated Woodpecker. In these parts, Woody is the only thing that anyone can mistake for this bird. Besides it's spectacular appearance and large size, the loud knocking sound, large rectangular holes in trees, the big wood chips from those excavations, and bold call make it distinctive.

I usually like the strong fill light provided by reflections from snow, but in this case, I wonder if is so strong that it looks a bit odd.

Canon 7D Mark II; Sigma 150-600 C
1/400 sec. @ f/8; ISO 1000
Semi-hand-held, resting on a solid branch</div>

Comments

5 comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on March 26, 2018 at 9:58 PM

The Pileated does have an almost pasted in look, Wayne, but not too bad. When I'm processing, I usually use Topaz detail to bring out plumage texture and in some cases it gives this look. In those cases, I just reduce the opacity of the layer I applied it to a bit until I like the result. I don't know how you process, but you might be able to try something analogous.

Lovely lighting and detail regardless.

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

Comment posted by Steve Thompson on March 27, 2018 at 2:13 PM

I think this looks pretty good Wayne. The only suggestion I have is to maybe remove the 3 twigs poking into the left side. They are a cool looking woodpecker and you got a nice angle.

Registered on August 7, 2014, 125 Posts, 2319 Comments

Comment posted by Allen Brooks on March 27, 2018 at 2:46 PM

Maybe the snow was a bit much as it looks as if you used flash. Still, its a real nice look at "Woody" and I like the tree as well. Agree with Steve's suggestion about the twigs.

Registered on July 27, 2011, 262 Posts, 2597 Comments

Comment posted by David Schoen on March 28, 2018 at 4:10 PM

I think the issue is that your dark background and the reflected snow light create a sense of that flashed appearance. But I don't think it's that bad. I agree with Dennis that you might try to bring out a little more detail in the feathers and I would clone the few stray twigs to the left side of the frame

Registered on November 6, 2006, 1213 Posts, 4587 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Kellermeyer on March 29, 2018 at 11:13 AM

Very nice, Love the actions of this bird

Registered on March 19, 2013, 52 Posts, 161 Comments