Pileated Woodpecker

[Paul Kusmin]

My mom told me about a large red-headed woodpecker coming to her suet feeder and i knew right away that a visit was in order.

I found a log and propped it up with the help of a rickety old foot ladder and some heavy rocks.

Got into my blind and waited two and a half hours before i finally heard the call of the Pileated.
It did exactly what i wanted it to and i was able to secure my shots.
A female came a bit later and did the same.

D300 + 500mm f4 AFS-I + flash + Gitzo 3530 + Jobu BWG-P head + Wat Krating blind/hide.

Composite shot.

Aperture: f/5.6
Shutter 1/100
Aperture Priority
Exposure comp: 0EV
Spot Metered
ISO: 400

C&C welcome.

[Sidharth Kodikal]

Very nice exposure, Paul. Love the details. Those claws look so awesome.
I'm fascinated by woodpeckers, and I've yet to get this one on my list (yes, I'm a noob).
You got a beautiful background there; I only ever seem to find them high up at awkward angles.

I would like more space above and below, may be a vertical crop too; but that's just me.
Perhaps you could also try other perches if you still have the opportunities.

[Andrew Merwin]

Very lovely image. I really like the bokeh. I agree with wanting more room at the top. I also think a different log without the sawed end would be appropriate. I am being picky here. It is a wonderful image.
Andrew

[Paul Kusmin]

Thanks for the comments Sidharth and Andrew, this species has been extremely elusive for me as well so i was doubly glad to get this opportunity.
In the days leading up to this i had dreamed about finding the perfect log to bring and prop up but i never did and as i wasn't even sure what to expect considered it a scouting mission more than anything.
I'm not crazy about the chopped off end of the log but potential is there if the birds stick around for a better perch for sure.
All my other shots ended up being cropped vertical as this one probably should have been as well.

[Daniel Cadieux]

The woodpecker itself looks mighty fine...awesome exposure, and great IQ. I agree it is tight in the frame though, and the perch is not ideal...the sawed off end kinda spoils it. Good news is that this pair sounds like they are regular visitors to your mom's place, so a scouting trip in the woods for a better perch is in order for sure!;)

P.S. Great BG, except for the smudges near the head.

[Lorant Voros]

Nice bird with lovely details and nice exposure. ; agree with the comments above. I hope you will get it on a more ideal perch.

[Chris Hansen]

Paul,

The bird and the background are awesome. I'm just not to keen on the perch. I hope that you get some more opportunities to photograph them. There are a lot in the area I live but they are difficult to photograph unless you can find a place they are working.

[Matthew Gaige]

I also viewed the other poses on Flickr and did like the vertical crop of the back of the PW with its head turned. Very special with its color and detail. May I ask.. Have you ever used a remote for any of your pictures or has it always been blinds?

[susanschermer]

Very sharp and well exposed. I agree with comments re: sawed-off perch and tightness at the top. Since it is a back-yard shot, why not try setting up a more attractive perch near the feeder.

[Paul Kusmin]

I also viewed the other poses on Flickr and did like the vertical crop of the back of the PW with its head turned. Very special with its color and detail. May I ask.. Have you ever used a remote for any of your pictures or has it always been blinds?

Hi Matthew, i don't actually have many opportunities to shoot from blinds around here, mostly grab shots on the go but set-up shots like this are something i'm always interested in.
Haven't done any remote shooting other than using a hand-held remote that was plugged into camera for a while although not lately.

[Arthur Morris]

Bird: 10
EXP: 10
Detail and SH: 10+
BKGR: 10
Choice of perch: 2
Choice of HORZ format: 3

[Steve Large]

Hi Paul,
How are things on your side of the pond? The feather detail is amazing and the exposure quite good. Got a nest of these guys scouted out here in Nanaimo so I can hardly wait for the babies to arrive. I had the same trouble with the western tanagers last year as regards wanting to land on large perches.

Take care,

Steve

[Arthur Morris]

The problem here is not that the bird wanted to land on a large perch. A large perch for this species often works well. The problem is the sawed off end of the perch....

[Paul Kusmin]

Hi all, i totally agree about the perch being less than ideal.
It was a Mcgyver moment and i grabbed what was on hand, i should have prepared much better than i did.

Cheers!

[Arthur Morris]

Lesson learned. Been there, done that....

[Jeff Cashdollar]

Hi Paul,

Agree with comments above, great IQ and detail. Love the colors - keep working it - hope to see more from you later.

[Troy Lim]

Paul, excellent exposure, color, BG etc.
I feel that this photo would look great with portrait crop. Even if you keep it in landscape crop, perhaps add a bit of room on top and put it a bit more to the left, it feels too tight, too centered now.

His pose is certainly unique, unlike most of the shots I have seen so far.

[Mark Schmitt]

A bird on my list to get. I've only seen one once. The EV on bird is perfect; detail and accutance are excellent, ESP retention of detail in dark values. I might be tempted to smooth out the BG, though I love the gradation of values in it, it's just that I see a bit of noise in the regions where the dark values blend with the green. Also agree there needs to be some more room at the top; I can accept the McGiver moment.;)