This Downey Woodpecker was having a grand time one afternoon when I visited our Ecology Park. I was fortunate to get this shot. He was quite high above me but m...
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This Downey Woodpecker was having a grand time one afternoon when I visited our Ecology Park. I was fortunate to get this shot. He was quite high above me but managed to capture him with my 100mm Macro. I don't have many shots of Birds, hopefully more this year.
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Contest Finalist in Landscapes with Bokeh Photo Contest
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AnneDphotography
January 24, 2016
beautiful capture and thank you for the sunshine I needed to see this ! fantastic image !
Mother_Nature
March 10, 2016
Fantastic Image, Great clarity, colour and Composition, which Ecology park ? Excellent Capture
barbaramillesrobinson
April 26, 2016
He's a beauty with his white spots precious detailed feathers. Great capture!
Bazz
June 20, 2016
Congratulations Gail on winning Contest Finalist in Landscapes with Bokeh Photo Contest for June, 2016! Way to go!!!!!!!
mihrt
June 20, 2016
Thanks so much Cher - sure was a nice surprise. Sincere appreciation for your Encouragement!! :) Gail
trascoe
June 20, 2016
Join the conversation. Add a comment or even better, a critique. Let's get better together!
trascoe
June 20, 2016
Great image of the downy woodpecker. I put out a suet feeder for the first time this year and have these guys showing up daily now.
laurenkaymyers
July 04, 2016
Perfect shot. I love woodpeckers and finally get them in my yard. This is fabulous.
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Behind The Lens
Location
Taken at our Local Ecology Park .Time
It was taken at 5:38 pm.Lighting
The sunlight was coming from the north east - very strong sun but was filtered by a line of trees just to the north east of me.Equipment
Handheld shot using my Canon EOS Rebel T4i. Canon 100mm EF 2.8 Macro USM Lens set to Aperture Priority and Spot Metering - ISO 200 at a shutter speed of 1/640th sec. Aperture and F/Stop were F/2.8 with approximate working distance of 6 ft. with Camera aimed at bird that was about 5 feet above my head. Flash did not fire.Inspiration
I love going to the Ecology Park - kind of my 'Zen' place. I was shooting flowers, insects but I heard the familiar sound of the woodpecker and quickly turned in it's direction. I hadn't been able to get a shot of a Downy Woodpecker in the past.Editing
I did very little post processing. Basic color enhancements, a slight levels adjustment - I shoot in Neutral Image Mode on my Camera - all colour changes are done in Photoshop rather than the camera. I often find that shooting in Landscape Image mode makes the Greens too saturated - then I have to deal with color noise in post processing. I shoot in Adobe RGB and process in the same. This way the images I print match my Monitor much better. I use Adobe CS 6.In my camera bag
Canon EOS Rebel T4i. Canon EF 2.8 Macro USM Lens, Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS Lens. Canon f2.8mm 200mm L Lens (no IS). I always carry and extra Battery, Lens Cleaner and Papers, a soft cloth which I attach to my shirt for cleaning my LCD Screen on Camera. Extra Memory Card.Feedback
I would like to encourage people, especially those just starting out to just keep shooting!!! Take the time to Practice using your Camera at different Focal Lengths and Apertures. When I use my Macro - normally I am shooting Flowers and Bugs and almost always shoot Wide Open. This helped for this shot as I obtained some really pretty Bokeh as the sun filtered through the trees. I was not sure that I would get much detail in the Woodpecker - but I just kept taking shots. I always shoot in Manual with my Macro Lens - it is the only way I have found that I obtain good detail. I practice during the Winter with my Macro Lens to keep the 'memory' in my hands and forearm muscles. I am a small person and find if I do this, I am always ready to shoot in the Spring. My Photography is my 'Escape' and 'Joy'. We all go through some 'dry spells' - don't ever get too discouraged. There is always an image waiting to be taken. I might have gotten better detail with my 200mm lens but I usually decide what I am going to concentrate on capturing before I leave. My Macro Lens was my Lens of choice. Even if I had my 200mm with me - I would not have gotten this capture had I taken the time to change the lens. The 'delight' I experienced when I got home and started to review my images was tripled when I saw this shot. Just go for it when the opportunity arises - you never know what you just might capture. And most of all - Take the time to KNOW your Camera!! I am still learning new things everyday - I am a 'newbie' at this but I never let that get me down!!!