Woodpecker
A female Palliated Woodpecker feeding her young.
A female Palliated Woodpecker feeding her young.
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Jun, 2015Views
1173
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Awards
Contest Finalist in Anything Birds Photo Contest
Editor's Choice
Peer Award
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Choice
Superb Composition
Magnificent Capture
Superior Skill
All Star
Outstanding Creativity
Virtuoso
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Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 10 rank
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Categories
PRO+
PRO+
russellkinerson
August 03, 2015
What an outstanding series of photos of these pileated woodpeckers. I'm also impressed that you were able to get this close to their nesting tree. (And a little envious. LOL)
Cheever2
February 16, 2016
I love how you captured that moment when mom almost looks overwhelmed by her babies' needs.
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PRO
LindieK
November 03, 2018
You were at almost the same height as the nest. Well done ! Must have taken a bit of patience and a lot of shots later. Great effort.
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
I live right near a national bird conservation area in Ottawa, Canada. Mud Lake is a popular destination for nature lovers and photographers and bird watchers alike. It's a bit of a hidden gem in the city proper. Many Ottawa natives learn about and come to the area for the first time and are often surprised that the area is a part of their community. I'm blessed to have Mud Lake literally in my back yard. I walk out there often to take photos and simply to take in the beauty and reconnect with nature.Time
This particular shot was taken mid morning. The position of the sun was a bit south at that time and provided the best light of the day. You don't get to pick where a bird will build their nest so you have to find the right time of day for each nest you find.Lighting
Time of day really was the only factor in deciding the shot. I considered using a flash extender but I didn't like the outcome so I just waited for the best conditions.Equipment
I used a Canon 7D Mark II with a Tamron 150-600--my new favourite long lens--on a tripod to get the most stable shot. The lighting wasn't optimal for fast shooting so I needed all the stability I could get.Inspiration
I followed this bird family from beginning to end. I was there when the woodpeckers started building the nest and to the chicks hatching where they could barely get their beaks to clear the nest hole. In this shot they're only a few weeks away from fledgling. It was amazing to watch mother and father taking turns feeding them. I took several hundred shots and this is one of my favourite.Editing
I use Lightroom to do as much processing as I can before deciding on finishing touches in Photoshop. I prefer to do as little post processing as possible but I can spend a lot of time on the right image if it's necessary. I love using Nik Software as well to bring out the best in the shot.In my camera bag
I do a lot of nature photography but I also love doing landscapes and portraits as well. I carry what I need for each outing but I have several of the L series lenses from Canon and also love Tamron and Sigma for what they bring to the table. A good tripod, a lens cleaning kit, an extra battery and sd cards are all I carry with me when I'm shooting wildlife. The Canon 7D Mark II and the Tamron 150-600 is my go to setup.Feedback
The best advice I can give anyone for taking this type of photo is to be patient, observant and spend a lot of time in nature. I love that this area I shoot I know so well. I can tell you which tall dead trees are best for predatory birds. I can tell you what time and location is best to photograph different birds at different times of the day or the season. That only comes with knowing the site you're shooting. In a nutshell, patience and persistence and knowing your subject are your best chances for success in wildlife photography.
