Taken at Cuyamaca State Park up in the Cleveland National Forest. These guys keep very busy, pecking holes all over the pine trees and storing the acorns there like a granary. I was amazed to find thousands of precision drilled holes covering the trees from top to bottom. They are usually pretty high up in the trees, so it is difficult to photograph them. Wondering if anyone has any tips for this situation, besides just needing a bigger lens. Not the best HA, and a big crop on this one, but liked acorn in the beak. ACR, CS5, BG was distracting so replaced with sky color, reduced contrast on tree.
7D, EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM +2.0x, HH
1/250
5.6
ISO 400
Hi Brendan- Acorn Woodpeckers are amazing birds. Their cooperative social behaviour is very unusual in birds.
There is nice detail in the black feathers in the image. The image shows the acorn larder off quite well. I wish there was some more light on the bird's face. Also a lower camera angle and better head angle would be something to strive for. Of the two, the head angle is more important IMO. Imagine your camera angle with the bird's head turned a little CW and optimally a little downwards.
Very nice Brendan. I like this image very much. Seeing this behavior is great! I've seen these WP in Julian and have had the same difficulties with the height of their perch.
Nancy
Good work controlling placement within the frame, 1/3 tree, 1/3 bird and 1/3 sky. I also loved the narrative/story it is very interesting, I have never seen this species. Regarding the steep-angle. Shooting with a TC tends to flatten things out, I see you used a 2X. Another option is to use a tree stand not sure if allowed in the park. I saw a picture Chas took of a Woodpecker nest using a stand that was really good he spent several days planning and positioning it.
The 70-200 is a nice lens own one myself but I do recommend larger glass for bird photography, it is Christmas time Brendan. Not bad for 400MM with a 1.6 crop factor and HH to boot. Tripod might help with sharpness, the 2x is nice but tends to soften the image and with a large cope the IQ will suffer. On balance, I really like the post, very original and the story add much value - keep em coming.
Thanks, John, Nancy, and Jeff, I definitely enjoyed observing these guys, and hope to get some better images. Jeff that is a good idea regarding using a tree stand, will have to check with park to see if they would allow it.
Acorn Woodpecker
Not the best HA, and a big crop on this one, but liked acorn in the beak. ACR, CS5, BG was distracting so replaced with sky color, reduced contrast on tree.
