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Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
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Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

by Howard Cheek

Gallery: AvianPosted February 2, 2011144 views10 comments
Heavy overcast, very cold, and winds gusting to 30mph today.
Our high in Central Texas was only 26 degrees. First time I've got a shot of the Yellow-bellied, this is one of 5 frames I pulled off.
In the other frames the wind is clearly evident, with the birds feathers buffeted about. This was the sharpest of the set, but a case where I probably should've jammed it up a bit more..
F/8, 1/500th, ISO 640, 1D M3, 300mm f/2.8 + 1.4x ext. About 80% of FF.

Comments

10 comments
Comment posted by Luke Ormand on February 2, 2011 at 11:53 PM
A great bird I've only glimpsed once... I like the perch and the colors even if it's a little wet...
Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments
Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on February 3, 2011 at 12:49 AM
Gorgeous, Howard. Very nice detail. Subject really stands out against the bg.
Registered on August 16, 2006, 603 Posts, 9192 Comments
Comment posted by Jim Hackley on February 3, 2011 at 12:06 PM
I have heard the name many times but have never seen one, nice job in getting this in difficult conditions.
Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments
Comment posted by KC Choo on February 3, 2011 at 12:55 PM
Well done getting this for the first time! Love the shot and composition.
Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments
Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on February 3, 2011 at 4:20 PM
Nice comp Howard. Love the front view of this bird and BG.
Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments
Comment posted by Ron Dudley on February 3, 2011 at 7:05 PM
This bird just LOOKS cold Howard. I even imagine the blur of the bill tip to be caused by shivering... :smile: I too like the front view and I also like the background.
Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments
Comment posted by wade pettitt on February 3, 2011 at 8:08 PM
Howard , great shot. I just love woodpeckers, and they can be so dang hard to get a good frame of. Well done!!
Registered on May 6, 2009, 184 Posts, 471 Comments
Comment posted by Mia McPherson on February 3, 2011 at 9:04 PM
Howard,

A wonderful sapsucker image as posted. I like the comp, pose of the bird, the eye contact and subtle background.
Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments
Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on February 3, 2011 at 9:52 PM
I like that you got this guy at eye level...everytime I see them...they climb way high. Nice job and congrats on the first! Sharon
Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments
Comment posted by Albert Darmo on February 3, 2011 at 10:33 PM
Hi Howard :wavey: You captured the vivid detail and color of this splendid bird very well!!! A lovely presentation :cool: :smile:
Albert Darmo. Canada
Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments