Pooper Scooper

[Marina Scarr]

These pileated woodpeckers were such great parents. Not only did they constantly bring in food to 3 hungry chicks, but they cleaned out the bottom of the cavity after EACH feeding. Many of the other nests I have monitored were cleaned out after each 2-3 feedings. You don't realize how hard these birds work on rearing their young until you stand at a nest day-after-day and watch their amazing hard work and dedication. Unfortunately, this nest tree fell as a result of a storm, but the 3 chicks successfully fledged.

C & C always welcomed and much appreciated.

Canon 1D4, Canon 500 & 2.0 @ 1000mm
F10, 1/2500sec, ISO 1600, manual mode
Fill flash @ probably -1.3, full frame
Feisol tripod, Jobu head

[Alan Murphy]

Nice sharp detail. Good work catching him leaving.

[David Salem]

Nice capture Marina. The woodpecker looks nice and sharp and the pose and the wing and HA look good. I like the good look at the feet and the look at the nest cavity. Wish there was some more room at the top but I see it full frame. Well done
Oh, I like the title of the shot too. :)

[Loi Nguyen]

Marina, really good behavior image. I have no idea that these birds do clean up after each feeding. You captured a great moment here with perfect sharpness. I see what David said here about more room on top, but it is very minor considering the overall image. Loi

[Bob Serling]

What a great shot. It tells the story perfectly of how much effort these birds put into providing for their young.

[Gerhard Weldhagen]

Great shot and timing, the bright background on RHS could be toned down a little.

[keith mitchell]

Marina, you caught this beautifully and a good bit of info about the life of these birds.

Keith.

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Marina, good timing on the subject leaving the nest, like the angle of the subject and posture. Agree with a tad more above, not sure about the 'white' to the RHS.

TFS
Steve

TFS
Steve

[Satish Ranadive]

Spectacular image. Beautiful pose with nice details.

Regards,
Satish.

[Bill Dix]

Great capture, Marina. Good work catching a nice wing position, and not clipping a wingtip. I suspect that when they emerge from the cavity, they do so quickly, requiring a fast trigger finger.

[Sandy Witvoet]

Totally unique capture! Love how we can see how "dirty" these birds get when they are nest-tending. Bird on a "mission"! (Love your title too!)

[Greg Oakley]

Great behavioural shot Marina - superb timing and action

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Marina, well timed on leaving the nest, and love the raised wings on exiting. Well exposed on the blacks, and great that we can see some of the cleaning in the beak.

[Frank Schauf]

Great timing, great action.

[arash_hazeghi]

very cool Marina!

[Ashleigh Scully]

This is great, Marina - amazing timing.

Congratulations on Nature's Best honors, too!