Downy Woodpecker

Gallery: AvianPosted November 26, 2009132 views11 comments

I was very lucky a few days ago when I almost drove past this male Downy Woodpecker at the Ridgefield Refuge's drive tour. He was only 7 feet from me just outside the passenger side window and busy hacking away at the seed pod shown. I had to back the car up to get him into focus as my lens has an 18 ft minimum focusing distance (it's just terrible when you find a willing subject and find your TOO CLOSE!)

He was very cooperative and remained for a bit while eating.

canon 7D
canon 600mm f4.L
F/7.1 @ 1/400
ISO 1250
auto window bean bag rest

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Sally King on November 26, 2009 at 11:40 AM

Very nice pose and I very much like the inclusion of the seed pod. Excellent details. Too bad you didn't back just a tad further to include the bottom of the tail. Still a really good image IMO.

Registered on December 2, 2008, 416 Posts, 4450 Comments

Comment posted by Sally King on November 26, 2009 at 12:07 PM

I love the second post. I have never seen a woodpeckers tongue. Cool.

Registered on December 2, 2008, 416 Posts, 4450 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on November 26, 2009 at 12:59 PM

I really like both images, Craig. The second one is especially nice because in addition to great detail you have some really interesting action. I don't miss the tail in the second one while in the first one I notice it. I've had similar experience with Downys. It seems when they are concentrating on food they can ignore our presence!

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Mason on November 26, 2009 at 3:09 PM

I really like the pose in the first image and the seed pod adds interest. The light twig across the top of the frame is a minor distraction- maybe it could be toned down a little?

Registered on December 14, 2005, 399 Posts, 2305 Comments

Comment posted by David Sparks on November 26, 2009 at 3:15 PM

Nice work taking advantage of an unusual opportunity. Including the seed pod is a positive as is the tongue action in the second photo. Terrific detail.

Registered on May 26, 2007, 290 Posts, 4270 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on November 26, 2009 at 8:01 PM

I prefer the second image Craig, even though the head isn't as sharp. The feeding action is very interesting.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on November 26, 2009 at 9:06 PM

Craig,

I prefer the second image too for the very reasons Ron D stated.

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on November 26, 2009 at 10:43 PM

Neat to get that close to him Craig, it looks like you are enjoying your 7D. You are only allowed to post one image and reworked versions of that image in each thread in this critique gallery, thanks for your consideration.

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

Comment posted by Craig Strand on November 26, 2009 at 11:47 PM

Thanks for the reminder Nate.
If interested, additional photo's of this downy at -
http://www.craigstrandphotography.com/p43834098/h38a8ad97#h38a8ad97

Craig

Registered on March 30, 2008, 416 Posts, 2885 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on November 27, 2009 at 10:19 AM

Excellent, Craig! If anything you might have backed up another couple of feet. Wonderful detail and behavior.

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

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on November 27, 2009 at 5:16 PM

Very nice Craig. I like the fact that the bird is perched on a branck rather than stuck to the side of a tree like you see in most woodpecker images.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments