Sort of the opposite from my previous image which featured a charred perch, this one is on a frozen perch. This species was a great way to close 2012 (but wait 'til you see how 2013 started!!!) I thought long and hard about removing the leftmost tree and even created a version without it but found that keeping it there balanced the composition more...so there it stayed, although I do wish it wasn't out of DOF range. Your opinions about it are valued.
Canon 7D + 100-400L @400mm, manual exposure, evaluative metering, 1/200s., f/6.3, ISO 800, added lots to the blacks and midtones (properly exposed to the right, but washed out original), a couple thinner stray branches cloned out.
My opinion is that the picture would look a little bit "phony" were you to eliminate the leftmost tree. As is, you have a natural-looking shot. You've done well here, the bird looks good and clearly your PP work is spot-on, bringing out those blacks. Again, what a find. That said, I just checked your Facebook page, and it seems you've trumped yourself...
I have no problem with the tree on the left - it adds to the overall sense of habitat, and I love the frosty effect of the tree branches. Personally I'm not that keen on the overall high key effect, and I would have preferred a less white sky and a blacker back to the bird - also a better head angle. Well done for finding this species - certainly here in NS we only tend to see them sporadically and unexpectedly in the right wooded habitat.
The exposure work really rocks on this image...it's technical, and handled well imo.
To get an image of this species on a thin perch like this is also an accomplishment.
My experience is, if they can't forage on the tree, and I doubt this one foraged on that tree :)
they move on pretty quickly. Anyway, it's a nice image to have in regards to having a diverse
portfolio of the species. The shooting angle is a bit steep to qualify this as a "killer" image imo.
This is one of the most sought after Woodpecker species and you did a great job finding one and the picture looks great, Daniel.
The left side branch is debatable and it depends on the personal taste.
To get an image of this species on a thin perch like this is also an accomplishment.
My experience is, if they can't forage on the tree, and I doubt this one foraged on that tree :)
they move on pretty quickly
Thanks guys! Shawn, you are correct. I was "lucky" that some Hairy Woodpeckers also occupying the area often bullied this individual off it's preferred foraging perches. I got it on a variety of trees thanks to them.
High-key Frosted Perch Black-backed Woodpecker.
. This species was a great way to close 2012 (but wait 'til you see how 2013 started!!!) I thought long and hard about removing the leftmost tree and even created a version without it but found that keeping it there balanced the composition more...so there it stayed, although I do wish it wasn't out of DOF range. Your opinions about it are valued.
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Originally Posted by Shawn Zierman
