Panting Woodpecker in 105 degree heat!

[Doug Brown]

It was hot in the afternoon in Texas! This Golden-Fronted Woodpecker was doing everything it could to keep cool. I saw quite a few birds come in to the water with beaks open and tongues out.

http://birdwhisperer.smugmug.com/photos/300365617_99DJ9-X2.jpg

Canon 1D Mark III, 500mm f/11, 1/500, ISO 400, fill flash, tripod

[Robert O'Toole]

I like it Doug, the pose and the open bill is interesting. Just think most birds run a temp of 99-105, I dont know what temp a woodpecker would run, but its hot!

Great sharpness and the use of fill flash is good.

Robert

[Maxis Gamez]

Hi Doug,

Love the composition, pose and details. The BG is very nice as well.

[Steve Canuel]

He does look hot. Good BG, pose, and detail. I also like sloping line of the perch.
Steve

[Nikolay Staykov - shotlandetsa]

Superb image!!!
.. I see you often use fill flash with great precision, can you share some basic tech's about it? Do you use high speed fill flash and when you under or over expose the frame?

[Fabs Forns]

That is one hot bird!!!! Good photo opp though and you made good use of it. Excellent done!

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

Beautiful work Doug and your timing was perfect. Great to get the open beak. !!!! Lovely composition with excellent color and exposure..

[david cramer]

As a native Texan I can't imagine why one would go to So. Texas in the heat! Oh, for the birds, of course. Good work on this one, Doug. Composition, sharpness, use of flash all look good to me.

[Doug Brown]

No easy answer to your question Nikolay, but I do use a lot of fill flash. I typically start with flash exposure compensation set to -1 2/3 or -2. I subtract flash for darker subjects and add additional flash for whiter subjects. In the early morning I use less flash, and as the day progresses I use more flash. I use extra fill flash when I deliberately underexpose the BG.

Like I said, there are so many possible answers to your question that I could go on for a long time. Feel free to PM me with specific questions.

[Raul Quinones]

Great picture and awesome subject. As mentioned above great pose and timing.

[Nikolay Staykov - shotlandetsa]

Doug, that's a good start for me with the provided info :)
Thanks.

[john crookes]

Nice grab of a good subjet during a stressfull time for the animal i am sure.

I might go in and do some work on the eye to lighten it a bit and make it pop