Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major)

Canon 7D Canon 500mm f4 L IS & 1.4TC 1, ISO 320 -0.3 1/1000 f7.1

This male turned up in the back garden after a short absence, I baited the small tree trunk with suet. My next trick will be try to get the bird on a different kind of perch to provide an alternative pose, and preferably retrieving an insect larva of some kind.
I underexposed to avoid blowing the highlights, as it turns out I need not have done so. Having said that I do do a linear burn on the brightest whites just above the eye, I also desaturated the reds at the base of the tail. Initially I had the image a little brighter but idecided this was a better option I felt it showed more detail and it prevented the trunk from being too dominant.
All C & C most welcome.

Jonathan:

I like the interesting markings on this fellow, good display of this strong grip, his slight angle towards us, the flying suet bits.

The breast and neck feathers seem quite dingy. I just don't know this bird, so perhaps that is correct for him.

The luminosity on the trunk looks good.

I could see a sliver off both the top and the right side.

Cheers

Randy

Jonathon,
Very nice. details look great on this bird that intrigues me, dont recall seeing one before. As for the crop I believe I would add a smidge out front and remove the same amount from the back. Also a smidge off the top. exposure on the bird looks great to me