Woodpecker sightings are, for me, still a rare enough phenomenon to be worthy of note, and a photo or two. Today was doubly special as I spotted two woodpeckers within a few yards of each other while out in Westlain Plantation, a small wood at the edge of Falmer. The first was a male great spotted woodpecker.
Approaching woodpeckers is a mug’s game. They are literally flighty, and sure enough as I edged towards the great spotted it took off to a more distant tree. Less true to form, a second woodpecker edged around a tree directly in front of me. It was a large female green woodpecker.
As you can see from the third shot, it too finally took to the wing. Nice though to see both species at one site, not least because it’s located no more than 50 yards from where I park the car in the morning. With luck and some patience I hope to see them again soon.
Camera note: all photos taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.
Darko
23 Apr 2014Great opportunity to photograph them both. I have never seen green woodpecker, not even in Serbia even though I know they cold be seen there.
Last weekend we wanted to go to bird sanctuary in Delta but the weather was too bad and I would not be able to photograph, anyway. Well, soon, hopefully 😀
Words
30 Apr 2014Hi Darko, I missed this one. I hope the weather picks up for you soon. It’s mixed here, but improving slowly.
derwandersmann
23 May 2014Congratulations! Woodpeckers are hard to shoot.
Words
24 May 2014dW, thanks! That was a good session.