Pileated Woodpecker

[Steve Maxson]

This male pileated woodpecker was photographed recently at my home in northern MN. 40D,300 f/4 + 1.4X, 1/800, f/6.3, ISO 500. Comments are welcome.

[Grady Weed]

I think you minimized the background considerably here. Perhaps more might have been nice, but it is what is. I do like the bird and the sharp claws to beak. Nice exposure and black details. The one strip behind the head is a bit to prominent for me. But it is still a nice image.

[Roman Kurywczak]

Hey Steve,
Nice exposure on the woodpecker. I do find the BG a bit distracting.....and IMO it is worth blurring/working on a bit more as the rest is very nicely done.

[Graham Smith.]

Wow! one of best pileated pics I've. Perfect exposure as far as I can tell.
I'm wondering if a bit shorter crop would work well.

[Steve Maxson]

Hey Steve,
Nice exposure on the woodpecker. I do find the BG a bit distracting.....and IMO it is worth blurring/working on a bit more as the rest is very nicely done.

Hi Roman. I was wondering what folks would think about the background here. I have already done a fair amount of blurring of it, but it seems that from your comment and Gradys comment I could do even more. :)

[Mike Lentz]

Nice portrait of a semi tough bird to get close too!

[Chris van Rooyen]

Great posture, sharpness and light! I would remove the light line through the head in the BKG or perhaps just darken it a bit

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Exposure control and details look good. Another vote for the removal of the light branch.