Red-bellied woodpecker

Gallery: AvianPosted April 4, 2010162 views20 comments

This RBW was nice enough to be forage low down on a small pine tree. It was nice to have the op to get a shot of this species with a decent angle. I like the angle, the looking back pose, and the BG. Please view the larger version for critique. Thanks for looking.

Canon 7D
500mm f/4
ISO 320
f/6.3
1/800s
Manual exp.
HH
70% of FF

Comments

20 comments

Comment posted by Erik Van de Water on April 4, 2010 at 2:31 PM

Beautiful bird, Ron. The only problems I have with the image is the blown out portion of the breast of the bird and the shadow on the face. I agree with everything you said about the image, especially the background.

Registered on February 27, 2010, 6 Posts, 72 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on April 4, 2010 at 3:18 PM

Ron- had this guy's cousin visiting my feeder in MA all winter but sure couldn't find a pose like this! The BG sets the bird off nicely and I have no issues with the ruffed belly or shadow area. Neat image.

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

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on April 4, 2010 at 3:33 PM

Excellent in every way. The feather detail, especially in the large version of the feathers sticking out on the right is marvelous.

Sandy r

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Raymond Klassen on April 4, 2010 at 4:20 PM

I love this! Great bg, eye contact, and the detail in the eye and face is great. Also, I like the comp.

Registered on November 30, 2008, 114 Posts, 790 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on April 4, 2010 at 4:26 PM

A sweet image. I love the pose. He detail is first rate. Exposure looks fine to me as posted.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Jerry Marella on April 4, 2010 at 4:41 PM

Great detail and exposure, Ron. I love it when these guys cooperate for a while. The look back is a bonus and the BG is excellent.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 142 Posts, 862 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on April 4, 2010 at 5:24 PM

Beautiful detail in the plumage, Ron. I do like the angle and the bg as well.

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

Comment posted by Peter Conway on April 4, 2010 at 6:51 PM

Sweet!

Peter

Registered on June 25, 2007, 347 Posts, 3913 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on April 4, 2010 at 7:24 PM

Ron, I like what you like as well as the blowing feathers

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on April 4, 2010 at 8:09 PM

I like the mottled lighting and the great view of the bird. Nice one, Ron!

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

Comment posted by Dan Moore on April 4, 2010 at 8:55 PM

The head turn and ruffeled feathers add a lot. Very good post as always.

Dan

Registered on February 11, 2010, 143 Posts, 1248 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on April 4, 2010 at 10:02 PM

Superb detail and sweet light!

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on April 4, 2010 at 10:19 PM

Wonderful detail Ron and the perfect head turn

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on April 4, 2010 at 11:14 PM

Terrific pose he can sure turn that head around. No nits from me, expert job.

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

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on April 5, 2010 at 1:04 AM

Way to go Ron, wonderful pose and head turn with good eye contact, the light on the bird brings out the color really well, a pleasure to view.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on April 5, 2010 at 9:49 AM

Ron,

This looks great as posted imho, the light is wonderful, the pose is too. I like the details, sharpness, background and comp. Very well done.

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

Comment posted by Steve Balke on April 5, 2010 at 9:12 PM

Beautiful image, Ron. However, are you sure this bird is real? What a neck turn! I wonder if all birds can turn their heads so far! Perhaps it's partly an illusion because of our viewing angle. Great color, sharpness and detail.

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

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on April 5, 2010 at 9:31 PM

Steve, interesting comment about the head turn. I have been studying birds for my entire adult life and the answer to your question is generally, yes, most birds can turn there heads as far as this woodpecker. I sure wish I could, as it would come in very handy. For birds, it is a matter of life and death that they be able to do this. Foraging, spotting predators, etc. I have some interesting images of this bird searching for food under the bark of this tree that demostrates the need for this flexibility. Maybe I will post a few on the Avian forum. Cheers. Ron