Red Headed Woodpecker

From my back yard set up

1DX
700mm
Manual mode + Evaluative metering -1 stop
ISO 3200
f/7.1
1/1000
No flash

Joel,

This looks like you had him posing for you. Very nicely executed. I didn't think I'd ever find myself saying this, but the background looks a bit too uniform, if that makes sense.

Miguel

Beautiful RHWP Joel. The colors on the bird look good, there seems to be a green cast on the perch but maybe that is what color it is.

Jack

This is a very dramatic image, which I like a lot. A real attention-grabber. The rich red of the bird's head really pops. Blacks and whites are very well exposed.

Great backyard bird! Lovely portrait ... nice pose and comp. Perch could be improved.

I agree with Jack on the green cast but I see it on the bird as well. Try adding a bit of magenta and see what you think.

Very nice! Not a common bird where I live, but I had one show up at my feeders for a day last year. I might try reducing the size of the catchlight a bit.

Jim

Beautiful image of handsome bird. Love the pose,very nice details in red,blacks and whites.Great composition.

Regards,
Satish.

Thanks for suggestions and critiques, here is a repost with a different color balance

Attachment 129318

This is beautiful Joel. I'm not the most eagle-eyed when it comes to color casts, but it looks like you have it fixed here. Only improvement would be a better perch.

A fine shot of a handsome bird. Colors in the repost look beautiful to me, including the BG. I might be tempted to hit just the bill with another touch of USM. Nicely done. Wish I had these guys in my backyard.

I think that what folks are meaning by a better perch is a thinner perch as this one is too large in diameter for this species. And a bit too high for my taste. Good job with the green cast. I do love the BKGR and the dramatic look.

I do like the original post. Agree that the perch is way to big for this bird. Love the mood in the image and of course this is a very nice looking WP!