Lewis Woodpecker

Gallery: AvianPosted February 9, 2010160 views14 comments

This is a shot of the elusive Lewis Woodpecker named for Meriweather Lewis of Lewis & Clark fame. It was first documented by Lewis during the Lewis & Clark expedition to the Northwest. This shot was taken in Central Oregon.

Camera Model Name
Canon EOS 30D
Tv( Shutter Speed )
1/250
Av( Aperture Value )
8.0
Exposure Compensation
+1/3
ISO Speed
1250

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on February 9, 2010 at 6:32 PM

Clayton,

I have yet to see one of these woodpeckers personally so I appreciate seeing this one here. I like the color combination of the grays & reds in the chest and how well the dark eye stands out from the dark feathers in the face.

The composition feels a little tight to me, a little more room all around might give this more balance.

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

Comment posted by Clayton Musgrove on February 9, 2010 at 6:54 PM

Thank you for your comments Mia. I think you are right about the tight crop. Here is the uncropped version. Please let me know if you think I should leave it like this.
Clayton

Registered on February 6, 2010, 55 Posts, 235 Comments

Comment posted by wade pettitt on February 9, 2010 at 7:45 PM

I like the uncropped version much better.

Registered on May 6, 2009, 184 Posts, 471 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on February 9, 2010 at 8:17 PM

Lovely catch Clayton, and for what it's worth I'm with Mia and Wade, the uncropped version shows well.

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on February 9, 2010 at 9:07 PM

I also like the uncropped version better. Thanks for sharing this photo.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on February 9, 2010 at 9:07 PM

He's a beauty! I'm envious cause he still high on my to get list.

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on February 9, 2010 at 9:20 PM

Clayton,

I much prefer the space in the repost. In it the bird is still the primary focus of the viewer but it doesn't feel cramped with the looser crop.

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

Comment posted by Clayton Musgrove on February 9, 2010 at 9:36 PM

Thanks all for your kind C&C. I do have another Lewis shot I'd like to post after 48hrs that I think is better. I posted this on advise from a friend. I appriciate your oppinions and am looking forward to future postings.
Clayton

Registered on February 6, 2010, 55 Posts, 235 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on February 9, 2010 at 9:52 PM

That's one fancy looking woodpecker.. looks almost like a hummingbird if you ask me! The angle is a bit steep, but the colors are wonderful

- Luke

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on February 9, 2010 at 11:05 PM

Excellent, Clayton. I prefer the composition in the uncropped version. Nice detail in the plumange and the subtle coloration shows well.

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

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on February 10, 2010 at 12:21 AM

I also prefer the repost. I guess you can't do a little something on improving the eye contact...

I would be very happy with an image this good on a woodpecker species I rank as most beautiful.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Gaurav Manglik on February 10, 2010 at 2:39 AM

I like the uncropped version too. Steep angle though. But you did the best you could given the situation. I would just love to see a woodpecker like this.

Registered on December 2, 2005, 191 Posts, 2126 Comments

Comment posted by Monica Siri on February 10, 2010 at 1:10 PM

Another vote per the repost, Clayton. Very nice bird that I have never seen before.

Registered on September 20, 2009, 132 Posts, 3764 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on February 10, 2010 at 11:40 PM

Really nice, Clayton. A tough bird to get in this area.

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