Oh boy...Lunch!

Gallery: AvianPosted May 19, 2010146 views9 comments

A female Acorn Woodpecker feeding her chick. Of the several shots taken during the feeding this image shows the chick's eyelid starting to close. As the chick received the food, the eyelid was momentarily completely closed.

Thanks for looking.

D300
300mm f2.8
TC 14eII
1/1600s @ f6.3
ISO 800
-1/3 EV
Spot Metering

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on May 19, 2010 at 9:58 PM

Nice detail, Charles and you handled what looks like pretty harsh light very well. One could wish for a couple of catchlights, but it's still a very good behavior image.

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

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on May 19, 2010 at 10:13 PM

Thanks guys. Rich, appreciate the gesture, and the sentiment. Dennis-I arrived just as the light was right, but the chick didn't start sounding off for food until the light got a tad brighter. From my position on the roadside I couldn't "hop" the fence onto the private pasture the tree was located on for better directional light-so I had to accept the lack of catchlight.

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

Comment posted by John Tobias on May 19, 2010 at 10:24 PM

Interesting photo. Good exposure and detail. Too bad the female head was turned away from the camera instead of towards it. Thanks for sharing.

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

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on May 19, 2010 at 11:56 PM

Very nice behavioral capture; you did quite well for what the birds - especially the parent - gave you. The shadow cost you some detail in the back of the bird, but, again, there wasn't much you could have done.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by Jeff Loomis on May 20, 2010 at 11:26 AM

Great shot! The nits already mentioned are valid, but minor. IMO the behavioral aspect makes up for any technical short asthetic shortcomings. Just a wonderful, intimate scene.

Registered on January 26, 2010, 68 Posts, 719 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on May 20, 2010 at 12:34 PM

Really nice job working in what looks like tough light Chuck, great interaction

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

Comment posted by Monica Siri on May 20, 2010 at 12:49 PM

Very nice and interesting behavioral shot, Chuck.

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

Comment posted by Dan Moore on May 20, 2010 at 8:48 PM

Yeah you lost a little with the lighting but you did very well with what you had to work with. I agree with Rich -I would be proud if it was mine.

Dan

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

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on May 22, 2010 at 1:28 AM

I like the texture on the tree, great backdrop for the feeding action of the dark woodpecker.

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