This fella has been busy these past two weeks digging inside this tree cavity. I am hoping the female chooses this site to nest as it is in a perfect spot with no obstructions, and as you can see here, the hole and the area around it has lots of character with the larva tracks, and scratching around the entrance. Already dreaming of seeing chicks poking their heads out...common mama woodpecker, you know which nesting site to choose!! Here the male was watching a merlin that was flying by.
Canon 7DII + 500mm f/4II + 1.4TC III, manual exposure, evaluative metering, 1/500s., f/5.6, ISO 1600, natural light, handheld, small crop to help the comp, toned down the bright trunk.
Last edited by Daniel Cadieux; 04-18-2021 at 03:52 PM.
Daniel, great story and thanks for the note about watching the Merlin!
AFA the image, so cool. The subject and the opening draw your eyes but when they want to wander, there's a world of natural art to enjoy. Very nicely composed.
Also, this has a very natural, grainy feel to it which I enjoy. One thing you might try (totally could hurt or help) would be running DN on just the eyeball for effect... just an idea.
That is a real work of art for a tree! It looks as if the bird used an axe on the top of the hole. If they use this one -- good luck, I would surely visit but for the fact that Canada is C-L-O-S-E-D (for all the good it it s doing ...)
Sharp with a perfect exposure and head angle. And the beautiful image design.
with love, artie
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Great find Dan....I would be at it 24/7 It looks like the Woodpecker is posing for you, looking proud of the work he has created....The colours on the bird work so well with the colouring on the tree ....Lovely detail throughout ...Brilliant work all round.
Wow Daniel, fingers crossed for you, this is a gem of an opportunity if everyone cooperates. Love the interests on the trr, and the head pose is wonderful.
Love this composition Daniel. Such a nice contrast between the tree and bird, and the wood above the hole adds to the drama here. Great detail in the bird. TFS
Very fun picture of fascinating trunk/potential nest site. It looks like the tree is quite large in diameter. My potential nest site here looks like they have chosen larger digs. Hope yours pans out!! Look forward to family pictures.
Loving the image, wonderful details on the tree trunk and bird. I think soon you may see chicks sticking their heads out of the hole. Thank you for sharing, Dan.
Joe Przybyla
"Sometimes I do get to places just as God is ready to have somebody click the shutter"... Ansel Adams
Perfect exposure for everything, the bird and tree. Love the scratches and the insect damage on the tree. Reds, whites and blacks on the bird are spot on.