There have been many squabbles at this nest tree this season as 5 species have nested in it so far...screech owls, pileated woodpeckers, red-bellied woodpeckers, wood ducks and flycatchers. The wood ducks attempted to hoodwink the pileated woodpeckers by laying eggs in their nest but, as you can see, the woodpeckers had NO intention of incubating any eggs other than their own. The pileated woodpeckers finally caved to the pressure and gave up their nest to the wood ducks, nested father up the tree and are currently feeding 3 young. The wood duck is still sitting.
Thanks in advance for your comments and critiques. They are always much appreciated.
Canon 1D4, Canon 500 & 1.4
F7.1, 1/500sec, ISO 1250, manual mode
Fill flash with Better Beamer
Feisol tripod, Jobu head
Marina
Thats the kind of picture I put in a real natural hisory section. Shows the value of birdphotograpy as a science or behaviour tool
Excellent stuff- In my humble opinion anyway.
Cheers
John
That is a great story. You captured it very well. Is it my imagination or does the pileated looked ticked-off, or at the least, very annoyed? I would probably crop in a just a bit on left, right, and top. This keeps nearly the same format but makes the subject more prominent. It also might get rid of the bright yellow bits near the top of the frame.
Fascinating story Marina. This happens at a nest tree in our garden some years with the Common Myna chucking out the eggs of the Eastern Rosella parrot but I have never had the camera in hand when it happens. Great capture - bravo!
A great photo and a great story, Marina! You mentioned the wood ducks were still sitting, do you know what happened to this egg taken by the pileated woodpecker?
Pileated Woodpecker Chucking Wood Duck Egg
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