Red-bellied Woodpecker

[Jim Crosswell]

This was taken at my backyard set up last week. I used peanuts as an attractant placed in the hole at the feet. Cleaned up the beak a bit. All C&Cs are welcome and appreciated.

Canon 1D MK IV
500L f4
1.4 Extender
ISO 640
1/1250s
f10
Tripod

[Ron Conlon]

NIcely done. Nice fresh plumage and background. Perhaps a little too saturated?

[Marina Scarr]

Well done and nice set up. The colors look good to me. I would add a tad more space below for the tail. Did you use flash here?

[Jim Crosswell]

Thanks Ron and Marina for the comments.
Ron the colors are as shot, no extra saturation added.
Marina there was no flash used on this image.

[Grace Scalzo]

My gosh that's a beautiful image. Simple, complete, full of interest, pleasingly detailed...I like this much. Also, the background is perfect...just enough variation in the green to not look fake.

[keith mitchell]

It looks about perfect to me Jim, your a lucky guy having these in your backyard, think your backyards are a bit different to the ones we have, that's a smashing Bg you have.


Keith.

[John Robinson]

Nice one Jim Cool looking bird. I would maybe tone down the tree stump a little but no big deal. Nice to have these in your back yard too ! I use a mix of pastry mix and suet. If I use just peanuts they clear off with them !.
John

[gail bisson]

This is excellent.
Colors look good to me.
Love that BG and the slight diagonal line created by the tree.
IQ, DOF, processing all good!
Gail

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Jim, when I first viewed the image I had the same thought as Marina, the lighting especially the eye gives that impression I feel, did you work on the eye and or add the catchlight? I would increase that ISO, start at 800 as there isn't much difference between 400-800 and this would increase you SS which will help. Add a Luminosity Curves adj layer and it will help bring out more detail in the lighter areas and help tone down the lighter parts and provide more tonal range and a greater depth within the overall image. Remember - you are trying to create a 3D image from a 2D capture :S3:. Have you any 'fall' colours at present or have they all gone, might create a more interesting backdrop like Bills post, just a thought.

TFS
Steve

[Jim Crosswell]

Thanks everyone for the comments and suggestions.
Steve no work has been done on the eye. I dropped the ISO thinking I had enough shutter speed and DOF. I do have more images of this guy and a Downy Woodpecker with various perches and BG. I will post one with an autumn toned BG soon. Thanks for the tips too.
John I crush the peanuts otherwise it would be a hit and run with no image or an image with a peanut in its mouth.. Thanks for the food alternative.

[Steve Kaluski]

Thanks Jim, had to ask, look forward to seeing more.

Guess it will be snowing soon with you, please don't keep all the Snowy's on the East coast this year, be nice to have some on the West coast Feb/March.

[Lorant Voros]

Very nice image, love the light and the colors. I also thought flash was used and well handled, but I was wrong. I'd suggest adding a little room below. Well done, Jim.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Jim, excellent IQ here, and you have also exposed the Woodpecker so well. Its sharp, and I like the colours on him too. Maybe a little more room below for space behind the tail. :w3

[Bill Dix]

Good look at the Redbelly in a classic WP pose. Lovely background. Good detail.

[William Dickson]

Beautiful image Jim. No nits from. Well Done

Will

[David Salem]

Doesn't get much better than that. No nits from me neither. Sweet frame Jim

[Jim Crosswell]

Thanks everyone for the comments and suggestions.