Luminous Landscape Forum

The Art of Photography => User Critiques => Topic started by: PeterAit on March 06, 2014, 05:07:31 pm

Title: Male pileated woodpecker
Post by: PeterAit on March 06, 2014, 05:07:31 pm

I am not much of a bird photographer, but this fellow has been pecking away in our yard for a few days now, perhaps looking for a nest site. G3 with 100-300 zoom at 300mm, handheld.

Title: Re: Male pileated woodpecker
Post by: wolfnowl on March 07, 2014, 03:22:01 am

So-called drumming on a tree is often used as a territorial call among different species of woodpeckers. I remember coming across a Red-breasted Sapsucker in a wooded park who had discovered that the metal sign on a metal post really amplified his sound! Drumming is also how they get food, of course.  Not hard to tell when Pileateds have been around based on the size of the holes they leave.  They tend to be VERY shy around humans, though, so good on you for having one come to visit!

Mike.

Title: Re: Male pileated woodpecker
Post by: wmchauncey on March 07, 2014, 02:08:14 pm

Perhaps a different perspective would have served you better as he tends to blend with the tree.

Title: Re: Male pileated woodpecker
Post by: PeterAit on March 07, 2014, 04:42:05 pm

I tried mightily for a better perspective, but there were always intervening branches.