White-headed Woodpecker

[Paul Kusmin]

Shot this last year in Leavenworth Wa.
Drove 4 1/2 hours in hopes of seeing this rare local resident but was eventually rewarded.

Exposure: 0.003 sec (1/400)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 500 mm
ISO Speed: 320
Exposure Bias: -1 EV
Flash: On

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3266/3225073218_7348c0a8c0_o.jpg

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Great find, exposure control and the lichen adds to it. I might apply NR on the BG and maybe sharpen the bird a tad more. Thanks for sharing!

[Doug Hitchcox]

Very nice picture of a rare bird - good job with the exposure to get good details in blacks and whites. I agree with Axel's suggestions but might also take a little off the bottom. There is also a little speck below the end of the bill I would clone out.

[Doug Brown]

Congrats on a good find. Regarding the crop, I would crop a bit of tree trunk off the left and add some canvas on the right. Also would crop a little off the bottom. Agree with Axel about sharpening. Might darken some of the light spots in the BG. Thanks for posting!

[Grady Weed]

I like the crop as is, the colors too. Perhaps some contrast to boost, but a nice catch. Determination pays off. Thanks for sharing.

[Paul Kusmin]

thanks for the comments all, I will re-consider cropping this differently.
I wonder if the out-of-focus lichens near the bottom should be cloned out or left as is?

[Arthur Morris]

A crop from the left is surely in order. I am surprised to note that nobody mentioned that a contrast boost would give this some pop. I wish for a bit more head turn towards you. I'd leave the two lichens on the bottom of the trunk and sharpen the selectively with a contrast mask.

Where did you find the bird? Could it have been Cabin Lake?

[Paul Kusmin]

Hi Artie, it was Sleeping Lady Resort in Leavenworth Washington.

[Arthur Morris]

Thank you sir. I need to move out west for a year.