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Downy Woodpecker
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Downy Woodpecker

by David Schoen

Gallery: AvianPosted June 16, 2017584 views5 comments
This is my nemesis bird.  The male has been here frequently, getting food for the family.  I haven't seen the female in a while.  I can see the male approach from the woods adjacent to my house.  It doesn't stay still for more than a second or two and I have to be very quick and anticipating its arrival.  It does make several trips at a time.  So that helps.  This was in a rainstorm several days ago.  Taming the highlights on the head of this wet bird has been somewhat of an issue.

Iso 500, 600 mm, F10, 250th, raining, tripod, no flash, D 500, 70% full frame, Topaz and TK actions

Comments

5 comments
Comment posted by Matt Shellenberg on June 16, 2017 at 6:45 PM
Very nice detail in this Downy, David. I think you did an excellent job with the exposure in these lighting conditions. Maybe a touch of detail loss in the head, but certainly not enough to effect the image quality. Nice job capturing the wet look and the raindrops in the background. I know this is really nit picking a great image but I would be tempted to remove the white wash from the left side of the perch. 
An excellent image of this Downy!!!!
Registered on February 6, 2008, 168 Posts, 3118 Comments
Comment posted by Charles Gangas on June 16, 2017 at 10:23 PM
No worries about this bird as a nemesis species for you any longer David. Wonderful detail in the bird and the wet plumage and rain streaks add a raw chilly feel to the image. Lovely background as well. 
Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments
Comment posted by Dennis Plank on June 16, 2017 at 11:37 PM
Nice pose and I like the wet look and rain drops in the bg, David.  The head looks fine to me.
Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments
Comment posted by Craig Moreau on June 18, 2017 at 9:06 AM
David, I like this shot very much. Great detail on the bird, and it looks like you did well with the whites on the head that you mention. I like the raindrops as well, and his posture looks like he's hunkering down against the rain.
Registered on April 21, 2015, 64 Posts, 584 Comments
Comment posted by Barbara Graham on June 18, 2017 at 9:03 PM
I think this is great, great work.  Hopefully you can get more images, but now at least it's not your nemesis bird. :)
Registered on July 27, 2010, 1310 Posts, 5035 Comments