germany - birds - great spotted woodpecker - dendropocos major "caged in" by branches on oak tree

Hello Sam, overall your image is too busy... The branch going across the woodpecker's face is distracting as it partly covers the eye. Not an easy capture as these birds hop around... Kind regards Carole

Cheers

PDE

Carole,

thank you very much for your serious critique !

In your way of viewing the avian world, you're absolutely right: here one cannot very well see the bird due to the tree.

My idea is to show how that bird uses its environment to do whatever it feels like doing.

That's not a studio or cage shot where everything is surgically clean & completely under control.

No, this is an image of Messy Mother Nature going her way, regardless of what H. sapiens is thinking about it.

How about those two cents of mine ?

cheers

Sam

Yes, I understand your point of view, but in terms of bird photography I thought I'd give you an honest critique. If you post more birds I'll be happy to give my point of view if you wish?  It's tough to take (from experience) but it's the best way to improve.... Kind regards Carole

Hi Carole,

thank you very much for your explanation & suggestions.

You're kindly invited to glance through the 1 064  bird photos, which I've put here in my photo.net folders, & tell me what you think.

These bird images been taken in several European countries, Australia, New Zealand, the Southern Ocean, Antarctica, the Arctic & the United States of America.

Happy shooting!

cheers

Sam