Not many shots today, but I did come across a woodpecker. I don't usually have much luck with these, but today I was persistent and fortune was with me.
I first noticed it when it shot off into the distance, a blur of yellow-green. I lost sight of it for a while, but then spotted it flying into a small group of trees. As I approached it took the wing. I followed it to another group of trees. Off it shot, eventually coming to land on a nearby fence-post. By this time I was protected by the trees and was able to approach without being seen.
As for taking the shot, the light was poor. I set the camera to ISO 800, with the aperture reasonably wide at f/7.1. This produced a shutter speed of 1/200s, which is somewhat slow for a full zoom (even with image stabilization). But it was about the best I could do. To avoid camera shake I used a monopod. These aren't as stable as a tripod, but the convenience and lack of weight makes them ideal for walking photography (tripods come into their own if you plan on staying in one spot). I managed about 10 or 11 frames before he took off again. This is probably the best of them. I've cropped the frame by around 50%, and used noise reduction on the background.
It's a male, the identifying feature being the bright red flash across the 'moustache' below the eye.
Green Woodpecker
Camera note: shot taken with the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.
gdare
15 Nov 2008And you did excellent. I like this one :yes:
anonymous
15 Nov 2008TBR writes:
Another BELTER of a shot.
I didn't think it was possible – but you get better and better Words!
Ukwildlife
15 Nov 2008Im going to have to agree with TBR on both counts 🙂
cakkleberrylane
15 Nov 2008Wonderful shot!!
Words
15 Nov 2008Lois, thanks!
Words
15 Nov 2008Doug, thanks, but there's plenty of room for improvement in just about every aspect of getting a shot. I enjoy the process of learning though.
Words
15 Nov 2008Thanks Darko!
Words
15 Nov 2008Neil, thanks!
Vulpes vulpes
15 Nov 2008Beautiful! I wish we had these here. Well spotted!
Words
16 Nov 2008Vulpes, they're great looking birds. It always seems so odd that you don't have any yet are so close. That small stretch of water has a lot to answer for.
Flying Red Fox Blog
16 Nov 2008Yay what a nice catch. 😀 I saw what looked like a woodpecker in my garden the other day, i wish it waited for me to get my camera lol, but wildlife dont wait around for us as waiting around could mean life or death for them i guess. 😛
Words
17 Nov 2008Thanks Mark! I think I've seen a woodpecker in the garden once last year. I tried to get a photo but completely messed it up. They certainly don't hang around for long!
SittingFox
17 Nov 2008Wow! :faint: That is definitely worth the effort of trailing it – beautiful bird, and great pose too. Well done! 🙂
Words
17 Nov 2008Adele, thanks! I'd like to have got a bit closer (I'm greedy), but yes I'm happy with that one 😀