Great Spotted Woodpecker

A pretty generic image I'm afraid but my first GSW, so I'm happy enough with it! Taken near feeders...not something I have done much of in the past but it turned out to be quite good fun

Hi Richard.
Yes one of the most photographed birds in the country I think but they still provide great scope for phoo oppertunities..
There are so many things you can manipulate- perches, light. backgrounds etc etc.
This to me is a little large in the frame but a nice bright image !
Well done
JohnR

A tad large in the frame for me, also you have balanced the flash superbly, although it has resulted in a rather unnatural look to it for me, little or no shadows.

Still an excellent portrait which many will love.

Sorry Richard - was this flash ?
When I use flash I get it with no shadows like this one if you balance it right.
This doesn't look like flash to me but I am frequently wrong.
Cheers
JohnR

I have to say that it does not look like flash to me - but then I am frequently wrong as well. However it was lit, it is a lovely shot with excellent feather detail.

David

Thanks guys, no flash just a low afternoon sun directly behind. With regards to the tight framing, I've cropped a tad because the background above the bird started to turn a dark green colour so I cropped just below that as it was distracting. Better luck next time

I think this is a very nice portrait with great light

Very nice picture Richard.

I like it a lot, the crop doesn't bother me at all

I also think it's a nice portrait and I think the crop is fine.

Hi Paul

Very nice - often light BG don't work too well but this one looks fine, maybe it's the light bark of the Silver Birch that lifts it!

David

Great shot and I'd love to get one of these even if they are well photographed.. Some people seem obsessed with 'flash' and how it's used.. I rarely use it and rely on natures very own flash, that big, glowing thing in the sky...!

Very well executed and I like it as is..

Brett

Very well captured. I especially like the isolation of the foot against the background - really makes it stand out for me.

Dave

Richard

A very nice capture works for me.

Barry

very nice shot, was out today trying to get my one but no show

lea

Very nice Richard.

Danny

I like the background Richard, it's an unusual colour. Different to the usual greens and browns. I think the crop is good too - if I was going to show someone what a GSW looked like, I'd show them that!

Chris

Thanks for all the comments everyone, glad it's been well recieved