GSW enviro

While I had the opportunity to take quite a few pictures of these particular birds I tried a few different compositions rather than just the straightforward tight shots. On this one I tried to show a bit of the environment surrounding the nest hole. Placement of the bird was quite intentional (this is full frame) and personally I think it works OK. However I'd be interested to see what others think.
300mm
1/60 @ F4.5
iso 640
full frame.

I like habitat shots, as it shows the animal in it's natural surroundings, so this works for me Robert, although I'd prefer the Woodpecker a little larger in the frame, but it's no big deal!
Regards,
Paul.

Robert

You can't get any more natural environment than this.

Hi Robert

While I can see what you are aiming for the approach is not quite working as well as it did with your redstart shot for me. As to why? Not sure!

The subject is good and interesting, the location has potential and I like the 'eye-level' perspective. The 'habitat' approach is refreshing. I'd like to see the subject slightly higher in the frame, but mostly I'd like to see the impact of the space right of the trees reduced. If there had been ivy growing on the right the image would be more balanced - because there wasn't I guess a slightly more magnified view would reduce the amount of background included. Perhaps the best way to reduce the background impact would be to reshoot at a time of day when that area is not so illuminated.

Cheers,
Chris

Interesting approach Robert
I feel the birds head position takes a little away but not always that easy.
Cheers
JohnR

Thanks for the constructive comments. It is a difficult one to get right I think. Once I'd decided to use a shorter lens the composition became a bit of a problem. As you say Chris, that area at bottom right is distracting, it is a patch of distant foliage that was getting illuminated by direct sun. In this frame the sun is not actually on it but when it was the whole area was burned out so this is as good as it could be. I have tried cropping this to eliminate the RHS but to be honest the woodpecker looked too close to the edge of the frame. I have also tried some shots in a portrait format but for some reason they didn't look quite right either (which surprised me actually as I was thinking a woodpecker on a tee would naturally suit that format. I have to say that the more aesthetically pleasing shots came from using a longer lens. Perhaps it's a case us as photographers wanting our subjects in 'perfect' environs rather than really showing what is in front of us.
Chris. I think the reason the redstart works better is that, firstly, the bird is isolated against a smooth background within the tree and secondly the tree foliage is more even and quite pretty in its own right. Incidentally the Redstart was an opportunistic shot whereas the woodie was a deliberate attempt... ironic or what?

Hi Rob. I feel there is potential with this shot but I think it could be better with the youngster more in view (with its head out of the hole) and with a slight head turn from the adult. I think with these in place, the rest of the image would be perfect. Looks a good location!

Enviro shots seem to be undergoing something of a resurgence in popularity lately which is great news as far as I am concerned. I like the idea very much, and the comp is fine with me, but feel that the timing was a little off. A better view of the adults head and of the chick would have made a world of difference, but those nits aside, I like it.
eric

I quite like this Robert,

Its different from the norm

Well seen and done