As I try not to use foul language as a life goal, this is what I used to call these creatures as they annihilated my stucco and rattled the gutters on my roof with their not-so-pleasing pecking.
Anyhow, this one was FAR more pleasing as it perched nicely for me unexpectedly as I was walking into a spot further down the river.
D850
600mm + 1.4x
Handheld
ISO 1600
1/1000
f5.6
LR and PS. Cloned out one random mullein sticking up just above bottom of the canvas.
Cool to see the red-shafted one as here we have the yellow-shafted type. Nice of it posing on that dried mullein. I kinda wish the oof branch was less prominent, but it does add a good dose of fall colours.
BTW, if you start photographing grouse and other game birds you may then freely use "fowl" language!
Hi Brian,
I have looked at this a few times and I can't believe how close you can get to a northern flicker in your part of the world. They are so "fluckin'" jittery here in Nova Scotia.
Love the unusual perch and the light falling on the face.
I also love the color of green in the BG.
I am not overly fussy about the colorful OOF branch on the left. I kept coming back to revisit the image thinking that I might learn to like it but....just not for me.
Gail
Last edited by gail bisson; 09-15-2020 at 11:11 AM.
Title made me laugh. I would reluctantly, if ever, evict that OOF piece of fall. If the bird were a tad higher it would also serve better for balance. I love the feel of this one as is as well. TFS
Hahah, I LOVE everyones replies. You guys/gals crack me up!
Points well taken. Had tons of mp left to crop in tighter (i.e. without the oof leaves) but chose creative liberty to leave the fall colors in. Just felt like a bland 'Flicker on a dead perch' to me otherwise. Maybe I take perches that are plain sticks/branches for granted as I have a personal goal of finding more unique ones, as you all know by now.