Red-breasted Sapsucker

Gallery: AvianPosted April 26, 2011105 views10 comments

This was one of the most cooperative birds I have ever photographed. We were just outside of Hyder, AK at a nature observation platform and this one just stayed put while I snapped away.

Canon 30D
Tokina 80-400
Aperture Priority
Shutter 1/125
Aperture f8
800 ISO
220mm
Manual Focus
Cropped to about 80% of Original

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Peter Conway on April 26, 2011 at 11:18 PM

I like how you composed this. The tree adds a lot. THe large version really shows the great detail. Excellent.

Peter

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

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on April 26, 2011 at 11:51 PM

very nice, Richard. pose, detail, and comp are excellent, and the sap wells add a lot. the only thing I'd consider, and very minor, is to clone the dark vertical leaf edge above the bird's head, a very minor distraction.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on April 27, 2011 at 8:05 AM

Cool image. Love the bird, but really love the tree excavation that has been going on there. Well done.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on April 27, 2011 at 8:13 AM

Great clarity, detail, DOF, exposure, and natural color Richard.
The sap wells add nicely, good placement in the frame.
Well done!

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on April 27, 2011 at 3:56 PM

Interesting pattern that is being worked on the tree. I like the head turn and colors from the sapsucker. It might be worth checking to see if a tighter crop to eliminate the OOF branch at bottom and empty space on top might work, fine shot though and it is always nice to have a cooperative bird, way to go.

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

Comment posted by Dan Harbour on April 27, 2011 at 8:35 PM

I really like this image, great natural colors, wonderful capture of the sapwells, and great composition.

Registered on January 4, 2008, 113 Posts, 2416 Comments

Comment posted by Ashley Vincent on April 27, 2011 at 9:34 PM

Thanks for sharing this image Richard, first time I've seen a Sapsucker, and so nice to see the tree in this state, which goes a long way toward understanding the behavior of this species and, of course, reason for it's given name :^)

As to critiquing the image, I really can't think of anything; it's wonderfully exposed, the subject is sharp and detailed, the composition is great, and the blurred BG works real well :^)

Registered on March 1, 2011, 154 Posts, 2083 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on April 27, 2011 at 9:46 PM

Terrific detail and a nice view of the tree he's using. Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on April 28, 2011 at 7:31 AM

Really like the setting Richard. Great detail and even light

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Matt Shellenberg on April 28, 2011 at 9:21 PM

I really like that you have captured the sapwells along with this sapsucker, Richard. Nice detail in this juvie. Very nice image quality for ISO 800. Great job.

Registered on February 6, 2008, 168 Posts, 3118 Comments