Northern Flicker

[Ryan Schain]

Northern Flicker on the ground digging for ants
Boston, Massachusetts - May 29, 2010

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4030/4652001172_4d8ccdc1d6_b.jpg

Canon EOS 7D
Canon EF 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 L IS

1/640
f/6.3
400 mm
ISO 400
+1/3 EV

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Angle, sharpness and BG look very good. Do you have one in this series with a tad more head turn toward you?

[John Chardine]

Super Ryan. Although the light is harsh, the subject is well-lit. Agree with Axel's positives. There's some nice detail in the eye that could be brought out with a bit of dodging. I'm quite willing to accept that the bird is on an incline but I keep thinking some CCW rotation to straighten up would work.

[Alan Murphy]

Love this low perspective that you don't see many images off for this species. I wouldn't change a thing!

[Ryan Schain]

Thanks guys!

Axel - Thanks! I have attached another image from the series at the bottom of this post. I absolutely need to run some NR on it though. Let me know if you think it's better.

John - Thanks! The bird was on an incline for sure, and I'll try and work on the eye.

Alan - Thanks! I don't know if its my area or what, but I see these guys on the ground and digging quite a bit...photographing them like that though is the problem. I think I've tried for this exact shot like 200 times, and have been outwitted 199 times.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4029/4651995896_e65371a4a6_b.jpg

[Phil Ertel]

Hi Ryan,

Both images are appealing. I agree with Alan that the low capture angle is very nice. I prefer the image in the fifth pane due because the pose provides a feeling engagement. Thanks for sharing.