"Ragged" Red-bellied Woodpecker

[Sandy Witvoet]

This male RBW, has been spending most of his time feeding the "kids"... so he's a bit dirty and disheveled.... but he was kind enough to stop for a moment for a quick photo op. I removed a couple of obnoxious branches behind his head. (Obviously, this is a fave "woodpecker tree" lol! Canon 70d, 100-400 at 400mm, f5.6, ss 1/1000.

[Diane Miller]

Hi Snady,

Long time no see! Welcome back!!

Oh, how I would love to see any woodpecker (even a distant cousin) besides our Acorn Woodpeckers, which are a dime a dozen.

Great catch of feeding behavior. Would be nice to see a little more detail in the face -- the lighting was so close, just a little more turn toward you would have put a little more light there -- but birds don't respond to direction very well. Some times I'll try a whistle of other sound, which most birds don't even relate to. Or else they fly....

I'd consider pulling a gradient darkening from the left edge, to tone down the tree there and keep the eye on the prize. Might also desaturate green a little, to reduce the importance of the leaves behind his head.

Would love to see more!

[Sandy Witvoet]

Thanks Diane! Your recommendations are always top-notch! (and I would LOVE to see an Acorn Woodpecker!!!) He was ready to fly off to the tend the babes... the only shots I got of that were WAY up in the trees (had to binz 'em.) Once again, it's been awhile and it's always good to be back. We've been making weekly trips to Michigan State University Veterinary Center (3 hours each way) for surgery/chemo/treatments for our pup, so my gear (and practice!) has been getting a bit dusty. Blue Angels will be here for three shows plus practice this coming weekend!
I'll try to do a RP in the next couple of days with your suggestions.... In the meantime, feel free to give it a whirl!

[Glennie Passier]

I would love to see any woodpecker...acorn or red belly, or any other cousin!

I like the interesting pose Sandy. As you know, Diane is the bees knees. Excellent suggestion about toning down the tree. I would also have a look at trying to lighten his face. Pity you just missed the light there. My Dad, who was once a crack shot, always says..."miss by a millimeter, miss by a mile".

I hope your pup recovers. It doesn't sound good.

What's a Blue Angel? I am assuming aircraft? Could be fun whatever.

[Diane Miller]

Yes, best wishes for your pup! Sounds like you're doing heroic duty -- all anyone could!

And hope you get some good shots of the Blue Angels. I was wondering if they would have another stand down after the last accident a few weeks ago. They took a year off a few years ago after a midair.

[Warren Spreng]

Nice one Sandy, I have heard tons of these on my recent hikes but they don't tend to want to pose for me! All suggestions are good ones, nothing else to add.

[Jim Keener]

I'd consider pulling a gradient darkening from the left edge, to tone down the tree there and keep the eye on the prize. Might also desaturate green a little, to reduce the importance of the leaves behind his head.

Aha! I was wondering what could be done.

[Adhika Lie]

I am late to the party, Sandy, and all have been said. Welcome back to the forum! I have never encountered this species before and I do love the color of this bird. Hoping to see more!

[Sandy Witvoet]

Thanks all for your kind words and recs! This woodpecker is a common visitor here in northern Michigan year-round... (one of the few who can tough it out!).

Thank you for your wishes for my little "Lucky" (pup).... he is doing better each day... we have a ways to go tho!

Glennie... yep on the lighting... these guys are either on the feeder (not my idea of a great pic... LOL)... they tend to be active during mid-day... so lighting is often "iffy". The Blue Angels are the US Navy's demo team of top-notch jet flyers which promote our military expertise. They had a casualty a few weeks ago where a pilot went down with his plane, but managed to maneuver the craft away from the crowds before the crash. They are just now resuming their flight schedule. We are always thrilled to have them visit us here. Diane and I are both airplane addicts, big and small! Here is a photo of the Team I got a few years ago.... the jets are only about 18 inches apart. This is how I like to practice my BIF (Bird In Flight) shots!

[Stuart Philpott]

Sandy, lovely image, Diane's idea, incredibly clever, I wish he had of landed just slightly lower the green of the leaves through his head is a slight distraction for me,but the rest of the BG is lovely. I also love the tree you have captured him on all their previous work on the tree(which I presume is from them) I find very attractive I really feel it adds something special to your image

We have our first baby great spotted feeding at our feeders,brought by mum and dad. Our GSW is not quite as stunning as your redbill Sandy which has been a thrill for me to view. Sandy we are about to experiment by squashing some fatballs into holes drilled with a hole saw into a branch as a means of getting a more attractive perch away from the main feeders,this could be angles so the holes aren't visible,it's a tip passed to me recently over here might be worth a shot for you,jeepers I don't even know if you guys have fatballs over there it's just seeds ect glued together with suet really.

Sandy I have to send two lots of best wishes for your pup one from Me and one from my lady,all kudos for your efforts for the little fella,just wonderful Sandy good for you

take care

Stu

[Glennie Passier]

Thank you for the explanation Sandy, on the Blue Angels. I was pondering on them being butterflies that have been trained to do tricks. I live quite near an air force base and it's not unusual to get very low flybys. The huge Globemaster also lives there and you can hear her when the engines start.
Great photo of the jets! I can't even park my 4WD 18 inches away from the next vehicle. They are a great way to practice your BIFs.

[Sandy Witvoet]

Thanks much Stuart and Glennie! Your kind words are very much appreciated!

[Diane Miller]

I can't even park my 4WD 18 inches away from the next vehicle. They are a great way to practice your BIFs.

Yeah -- I've noticed parking spaces are getting narrower every year. But my only pressing reason to be in one is to go to Whole Foods.

[Jim Keener]

No way. That is not a repost of the woodpecker image. Oh, wait. Okay.