I captured this female Pileated Woodpecker coming back to the nest cavity to feed the hatchlings. Image captured at Circle B Bar Reserve in Polk County, Florida. Comments and critique welcomed and appreciated. Thank you for viewing.
Nikon D7000
Nikon 80-400mm F/4.5-5.6 VRII AF-S ED shot at 400mm (600mm FFE)
1/2000 F/8 Matrix Metering +1/3 EV ISO 800 AWB, camera supported by a monopod
Post processed in Lightroom CC and Photoshop CC
Cropped for composition and presentation
Joe Przybyla
"Sometimes I do get to places just as God is ready to have somebody click the shutter"... Ansel Adams
This is priceless, Joe. My nemesis bird. I've seen them only at a great distance. You handled the bright light very well, and of course the over and under youngsters at the ready with mom fully attentive is just great.
A bit steep, but a fun find and image. Brother and sister look quite happy in their hole. I'd be OK with a tad more tree, and less sky, if only to clear the "virtual bodies" inside the cavity.
Hi Dan, here is an edit and repost per your suggestion of more tree for the virtual bodies of the hatchlings. The nest is about 40 feet up in the trunk of a dead palm tree in a small grassy clearing surrounded by trees and brush. I was a far back against the trees and had extended my monopod as high as I could and still being able to look through the view finder, so not really able to lower the steep angle. Thank you for viewing and commenting, very much appreciated.
Joe Przybyla
"Sometimes I do get to places just as God is ready to have somebody click the shutter"... Ansel Adams