Red Bellied Woodpecker Threat Display

[jack williamson]

This is a setup in my yard. This woodpecker was threatning a juvenile that was close by. D700, 300mm, 1.4tc, tripod. 1/320, f6.3, iso800. Adjusted exposure and saturation in ACR. Levels, S/H, USM, and the dodge tool in CS3. I exposed for the BG and used fill flash from the camera popup but still had to dodge the face as it was a little dark. This is about 80% of the original.

[Sidharth Kodikal]

I like the comp and the design a lot. The diagonal perch and the bird placement are great. Nice exposure and sharp details. The blur from the other foot is fun. Slight open beak is nice. HA not the best, but definitely works for me.
Your yard certainly seems like a nice, productive place.

[Dave Leroy]

Great looking photo. Lovely bg, perch and pose. I really like the fluffed up feathers.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Jack, good pose following the line of the perch, and good job with the exposure on the blacks. Good use of flash, although I would remove two of the cachlights ( as you have three ). Its fun to play around with set ups. :w3

[Jonathan Ashton]

What super sharp detailed shot - love it, suggest modify the highlights so there is one only and possibly look at the green background - it looks just a tad too vivid to me.

[dankearl]

Jack, amazing how many different birds you attract to your place!
This is really good, nice to have these around. Nice perch and nice color.

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

I like the image as is, love the bird, the clean BG but I guess the perch is a bit thick for this bird.

[christopher galeski]

nice image,like the perch,good detail,BG a little too vivid for me.

[jack williamson]

Thanks all. I knew when I posted this that the bg looked to saturated, thanks for the advice.

Jack