shots worth sharing Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 After a week in hiding, the pileated woodpeckers showed up in force this morning (the day after I was forced by the return of the tenant to abandon my shooting perch on the second floor) in a state of obvious but inexplicable agitation. I'm still over-reaching a bit (help is on the way in the form of a Sigma 400mm f/5.6) but with the k20d, the crops are in the 4-5MP range rather than sub-3MP. BTW: These guys do tend to stay on the far side of the tree and that behavior seems more pronounced later in the morning. I suspect that, in addition to skittishness, it's a thermoregulation thing: when they're working hard (as these were) on a hot sunny day they could very well over-heat (what with black plumage and all.) And/or the bugs might migrate to the shady side of the tree as well.<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shots worth sharing Posted August 4, 2008 Author Share Posted August 4, 2008 and<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garry_young1 Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 No way Dave! Boredom doesn't feature with woodies! Definitely clearer! Really good shots. Just how much have you cropped these two? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgredline Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 Dave, huge difference my friend...This is really nice work. This is where those 14.6Mp come into play...When u have to crop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shots worth sharing Posted August 4, 2008 Author Share Posted August 4, 2008 The first is 4MP and the second, 4.5MP (the elm is closer and allowed the tighter crop.) I think I should be able to get decent 8x10's out of them. I should say that, as attractive as these dead trees are to woodpeckers, I'm really sorry they expired. On the other hand that green ash (closer to my vantage point than either) might be, well you know, "expendable." ;~) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dugger Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 I don't think I'll ever get tired of this Dave! Really enjoying your WPA (woodpecker photo addiction). Did you say ash tree? That's a natural place to look for morel mushrooms in the spring. Don't lose it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alisa_stieg Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 Wow, Javier is absolutely right! These are really great! I can't wait to see what you pull off with that 400mm Sigma! Very happy for your achievement! Congrats! Lisa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abe_hollander Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 good stuff. I bet you could coerce Ann with a rent increase if she doesn't give you the option to permanently put a tripod up in her quarters to get these shots. 400mm Sigma? I think it's time to ask again: Is the will all up-to-date? Especially since we've all agreed on the obit headshot? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shots worth sharing Posted August 4, 2008 Author Share Posted August 4, 2008 Don't worry, Doug--just kidding, I can't recall any spring mushrooms, though, and I have several of those trees. Thanks, Lisa and Javier. You know this woodpecker thing is very like surf-fishing--watching and waiting, with the rod at the ready, for the bluefish to show up at the inlet (and when they do, they stay just out of casting range ;~) Still, it's the preparation, observation and persistence that finally pays off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miserere_mei Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 Dave, yeah, I'm bored, but you brought me back with this enhanced, newer, better, faster, stronger version of Woody the Elusive Woodpecker. Hopefully, Peter's lens will take Woody to yet another whole nuvah level. I know you'll hate me for this, but here's the competition: http://www.pbase.com/dougsmit/image/47059162 http://www.pbase.com/dougsmit/image/47037073 "The Competition" uses a Sigma 600mm f/8 CAT lens. I'm sure Gary will find that amusing. Just thought I'd give you an incentive to kick that tenant out! :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shots worth sharing Posted August 4, 2008 Author Share Posted August 4, 2008 Wow--the competition is waaaay ahead! Still, I've got better bokeh. Oh, wait a minute--no, I don't. OK, yes, I hate you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDMvW Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 Keep up the woodie, so to speak. Post away! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob-c Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 Dave, these are very impressive - congrats. Only those who have never experienced it would find it boring, I love it. Here's a funny short story aside. i recently videotaped a friend's son's wedding but couldn't resist bringing my Pentax along. When I told my daughter that I took some stills at the wedding, she asked jokingly,"Why dad, were there birds in the church?" Great job, I look forward to more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revolver Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 Excellent captures Dave. Both are great But I like #2 best Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scot Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 Very nice. Hey, have you ever heard this bird's voice? Just as impressive as its appearance. Keep posting. There's no such thing as enough woodpeckers. scot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shots worth sharing Posted August 5, 2008 Author Share Posted August 5, 2008 They were vocalizing quite a bit yesterday, Scot! In addition to the 'zany laugh' there was another, kind of yodel-y call I hadn't heard before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rose_duclos Posted August 7, 2008 Share Posted August 7, 2008 Could it be a Swiss woodpecker? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shots worth sharing Posted August 8, 2008 Author Share Posted August 8, 2008 Markus....? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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