Ladder-backed Woodpecker

[Bill Dix]

One of my goals for my recent trip to SE Arizona was to capture all of the local WP species. I came close, getting 5 of them. But one thing I noticed about the local woodpeckers -- they refused to give me good head turns. Something about the local environment?? This one was one of three lifer WP species for me.

D7000, 500f4, ISO 1250, 1/320s @ f/6.3 manual.

[Derek_Lauzon]

Great shot Bill. I really like the curve of the tree, frames the bird nicely.

[Kirk Benson]

Very nice view of the "ladder" plumage here Bill. Good light and BG, and I love the tree you captured this guy on... your composition to accentuate the flow of the tree is terrific and very well seen.
Beautiful color and detail... maybe the HA could be slightly better as you alluded to, but nature doesn't always cooperate and I would be proud to have this image.
Very nice work on an image that I enjoyed a lot.

[Diane Miller]

Gorgeous and sharp WP on the perfect perch!!

My only suggestion would be to tone down the light area in the UL.

[arash_hazeghi]

This is a classic woodpecker shot, love the pose, details, soft light and the curve and textures in the tree

well done

[David Salem]

Although I like the bird lot and it is Nice and sharp, with a great pose and a beautiful specimen, The tree is this really makes the shot for me. It's perfect as it has lots of great texture and frames the bird nicely. Well done.

[Daniel Cadieux]

That is an awesome perch you got here!! Head angle noted by yourself...did you try "pishing"? That often works...I needed to do that with my recent Pileated as it was always looking slightly away as yours here is doing.

[Joe Subolefsky]

Really lovely Bill the curve and flow of the tree add a lot to it.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Bill, excellent IQ here, and I do like the light and overall exposure that you achieved. Good sharp feather detail, and I do like look of the bark on the tree trunk.

[John Robinson]

Yes - all been said Bill.I love that background !
John

[Bill Dix]

Thanks all.