New Yard Bird

[Bill Dix]

I looked out the window several days ago and saw a Pileated Woodpecker in the back yard. A first for me after 35 years here. Grabbed the camera and tripod and ran out in sandals and shirtsleeves in the cold, and grabbed a few shots after maneuvering for the best position. Went back in for a jacket, gloves and the speedlight, and he was gone. Wished for better light and lower POV, but I don't get to see these guys very often. Removed some offending branches, added a touch of color to the hazy bright sky that was white in the RAW file, tweaked levels and desaturated the crest. Final image looked a tad green to me so I moved the slider a few points toward magenta. Did I go too far? C&C appreciated.

D7000, 700mm, ISO 1250, 1/640s @ f.6.3 manual.

[Dennis Zaebst]

Congratulations on a fine capture of this male Pileated. Nice and sharp and good light and colors. I don't think you went too far toward the magenta, it looks fine on my monitor. Incidentally I have a pair, both female and a male. You should look out for the female, as they may form a breeding pair this spring. Then you might be able to find the nest (from a distance of course, they are very skittish birds), and photograph the little ones. Good luck.

[vishaljadhav]

Wonderful one, you have got a impressive image with a fast setup , love the details on the black
nicely done

[Richard Unsworth]

An excellent image of one of my favorite birds. Bill you really nailed this, that red head is hard to control, well done indeed

[jack williamson]

Good for you and a fine shot it is. The colors look good to me. They are plentiful here but I have yet to get a decent shot of one . Congratulations.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Nice to have this as a yard bird, always an exciting sighting to see this species! Exposure looks good, and the tree it is clinging too looks great. I would have preferred your camera pointed a bit more to the left and I do find the angle a bit steep. Hopefully this fella will hang around and you'll be able to lure it lower with some suet!

[Shawn Zierman]

I think you did very well given the description of the encounter. Exposure work looks solid. Nice sharpness and detail.
The head angled more towards you would have been an improvement. Composition wise, I could see a version with a
bit of space trimmed off the left side and a little off the top, to help keep the aspect ratio.
Awesome species!

[Bill Dix]

Congratulations on a fine capture of this male Pileated. Nice and sharp and good light and colors. I don't think you went too far toward the magenta, it looks fine on my monitor. Incidentally I have a pair, both female and a male. You should look out for the female, as they may form a breeding pair this spring. Then you might be able to find the nest (from a distance of course, they are very skittish birds), and photograph the little ones. Good luck.

Thanks Dennis. Yes, I've been checking for the female. I'm on a small suburban lot, so I doubt if this is likely Pileated habitat. My neighbor has about 1/4 acre of wooded area behind my house, and a few of the trees show some sign of Pileated activity, but nothing that looks like a nest hole (yet). I'll keep looking and hoping.

[Bill Dix]

Nice to have this as a yard bird, always an exciting sighting to see this species! Exposure looks good, and the tree it is clinging too looks great. I would have preferred your camera pointed a bit more to the left and I do find the angle a bit steep. Hopefully this fella will hang around and you'll be able to lure it lower with some suet!

Thanks Daniel. I agree on both counts; a bit more space on the left, and a less steep angle.

My suet feeder is close to the house and attracts all of the local wp's except the Pileated, who probably prefers a little more privacy. He was further back on the edge of my neighbor's property, working some trees affected by recent blowdowns. I'm sure my neighbor wouldn't mind a suet feeder back there.

[Bill Dix]

Thanks everyone for your comments.

[Robert Holguin]

Very nice shot.
Congrats on your find.
Nice details, I really like the perch and love how they hold on to the perch.
Angle a bit steep, but I would totally be happy with a shot like this.
Well done.

[Jonathan Ashton]

Super shot Bill, the colours look great to me, you have excellent detail. I know we normally like to be at eye level to the bird but in this case I think not at eye level works becasue woodpeckers are usually or frequently seen at higher than eye level.

[Grace Scalzo]

Totally exciting to have this great species visit your yard. Agree with the comments above regarding shooting angle, but still, a superb image to have in your collection. Keep us posted....sure hope he sticks around. (I saw one for the first time over the holidays at my parents' house in S. Central PA. )

[Karl Egressy]

Despite of the slightly steep angle it is still a wonderful shot, Bill. It must have been an exciting moment to have one in the backyard.

[Bill Dix]

Thanks guys and gals. As noted before, my small suburban lot is not exactly prime habitat for Pileated Woodpeckers (although it's amazing how many species have come through over the years), so I'm not too hopeful he will find a mate and settle down here. But I'm keeping my eyes pealed.