This is a rare species where I am, with only one known nesting pair in the region. They have nested in the same general area for well over 15 years now, but usually deep into a privately owned forested area. Easily heard, and seen with binoculars, but very bad for "proper" photography. Until this year! Amazingly they built their nest in a tree right by the side of a quiet road. I was only able to go out for one session due to lack of time, but what a fun session it was. I got lucky here as both adults tended to the nest at the same time. Note the low light from the exif data - but the 7DII came through with good results!
Canon 7DII + 500mm f/4 II + 1.4TC III, manual exposure, evaluative metering, 1/200s., f/5.6, ISO 3200, natural light, handheld, small crop to help the comp, an extra leaf, and a twig, removed from the side edges, NR to the BG only.
Nicely exposed, soft light with good detail in blacks and whites. Good head angles, holes, etc. Nice framing , with angled trunk a plus.
I grew up in Iowa, where these guys were common. I took them for granted until I moved to Michigan where they are very uncommon. Saw one earlier this year, made my day! Thanks for sharing.
This is brilliant....I don't think I have ever seen this bird before...Lovely detail on the main subject and just enough oof on the one behind for it to work well. Great HA's and poses. Lovely colours throughout and I like your crop. Well done Dan.
A Pair of Nesting Red-headed Woodpeckers.
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