Pileated Woodpecker - II

Gallery: AvianPosted May 20, 2013290 views16 comments

The photo was taken near feeders in a municipal park. The background is snow.

This is a full body shot of the same male Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) bird that I had posted in December: I had promised a full body shot but had never delivered. Actually, I notice that I have several photos with the tail feathers cut off. Probably because they are so long and leaning against the tree - far away from the center of mass and easy to miss.

All comments are much appreciated. Thanks for looking and thanks for all your comments on my other photos. Roger.

Canon 7D, Sigma 150-500 at 186 mm, f/10, ISO 640, 1/400 sec, HH, natural light, PP in LR4. Minor crop.

Comments

16 comments

Comment posted by John Robinson on May 20, 2013 at 10:03 PM

One of the best I,ve seen from the 150-500 !
People moan about the Sigmas but they produce the stuff !!
Good one
Cheers
JR

Registered on March 2, 2008, 535 Posts, 2453 Comments

Comment posted by Roger Kirchen on May 20, 2013 at 10:10 PM

Thanks John. Yes, I am very happy with the 150-500. Note that the focal length here was only 186 mm. The bird flew in on me while I was hiding (freezing actually) a fairly dense stand of trees.

Registered on March 6, 2011, 95 Posts, 847 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Cross on May 20, 2013 at 10:20 PM

I don't think I ever noticed the white fringing on the breast feathers before. Guess I never had as good a look as this. The colors and detail in the bird are really good. The pose the bird gave you, not so good. But you did really well with what you were given.

Registered on April 3, 2010, 271 Posts, 1342 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Marsh on May 20, 2013 at 10:22 PM

Very nice image of this Pileated Roger. The pose, comp, exposure and sharpness are excellent!

Registered on December 29, 2012, 21 Posts, 225 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on May 20, 2013 at 10:52 PM

Nice detail and exposure on this Roger. I have never seen this species...they look to be rather large. Thanks for sharing.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Kirk Greene on May 20, 2013 at 11:00 PM

Nice close look at this pileated. It's cool to see the grip on the tree and the detail in the breast feathers. My only recommendation is to take a moment to clean up the dark spots in the snow. It should be a quick, easy fix.

Registered on May 12, 2004, 191 Posts, 1578 Comments

Comment posted by Martin Dunn on May 21, 2013 at 5:24 AM

Great shot Roger. Terrific detail.

Registered on February 20, 2013, 198 Posts, 1011 Comments

Comment posted by Claude Dagenais on May 21, 2013 at 6:19 AM

Good of you to have preserved the detail in both the whites and blacks Roger.

Registered on April 10, 2013, 56 Posts, 571 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on May 21, 2013 at 6:24 AM

Really great detail in the larger version Roger. Love the look at the foot holding the tree bark. Nice exposure, which can be tough on this species. Snow is fine as is IMO.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Roger Kirchen on May 21, 2013 at 8:20 AM

Thank you all for stopping and commenting. They are about the size of an American Crow and seem to like to hang on vertically on a trunk with their feet prominently placed at chest height and bracing their tail feathers against the tree. PP included working the blacks and whites for details. Roger

Registered on March 6, 2011, 95 Posts, 847 Comments

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on May 21, 2013 at 11:29 AM

Great shot in all respects. Good details in the plumage and a nice and sharp eye. Well done ! Cheers, Hans

Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on May 21, 2013 at 12:10 PM

Wonderful feather detail on the larger image and interesting to see those claws so well. Nice job in getting in this shot, way to go.

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

Comment posted by Andy Shepherd on May 21, 2013 at 12:54 PM

Can't fault it, excellent shot, Roger.

Registered on September 24, 2006, 123 Posts, 1254 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on May 21, 2013 at 3:50 PM

The large version really shows off the fine details of this beauty. Great pose, excellent exposure work.

Sweet One Roger!!!

Ken Archer