ID? Woodpecker having fun

Posted by Sparr on Sat Apr 10, 2004 10:35 pm

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I was out at high noon simply because it was the only time I could get out of work and give my new 400 a workout. Found 2 beautiful woodpeckers in a local park having fun. Any idea of ID on this one? Any recommendations for a good book on birds

Comments on the photo much appreciated.

Steve.

10D, 400mm 5.6, 1600/sec., f 6.3, ISO 800, handheld, no flash, 30% crop

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by Parrothead Pete on Sat Apr 10, 2004 10:45 pm

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Looks like a male downy woodpecker per my Peterson's Field Guide...

How do you like your new lens? I picked up that same lens a few months ago and truly love it. On my back up camera (Elan 7e) it is so friggin light to handle...and I've gotten nice crisp shots with the 1.4X as well.

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by Dennis Olivero on Sat Apr 10, 2004 10:49 pm

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Agree on Downy, Hairy woodpecker a little bigger. Nice background..

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by Alan Murphy on Sun Apr 11, 2004 12:03 am

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Steve, The short bill and the spots on the outer tail feathers say it's a Downy. It's a sweet shot of one.

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by dkhenke on Sun Apr 11, 2004 4:33 am

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Very nice, Steve. Saving money on lunch? Congrats on your new lens.

Dieter

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by AlexC on Sun Apr 11, 2004 8:27 am

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Wonderful bird and a great exposure to boot, killer complimentary BG as well, a tad more USM for me, but just a touch, Congrats!!

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by Wayne Nicholas on Sun Apr 11, 2004 8:57 am

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My only suggestion would have been to change the ISO to 400 to limit the amount of noise showing up in the image (which isn't much). You would have still have plenty of shutter speed to hand hold at 1/800 of a second.

Aside from that, nice image. Good comp and BG. Definitely a Downy WP.

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by Sparr on Sun Apr 11, 2004 9:08 am

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Thanks for the ID, compliments and tweak suggestions guys. I love my 400 lens, Parrothead Pete...it's so light and sharp. I haven't yet tried it with the 1.4x. I can't imagine having to manually focus with the Downy woodpecker in my sights

.

Steve.

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by E.J. Peiker on Sun Apr 11, 2004 9:17 am

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Definitely a Downy and and a very nice photograph. I also am, puzzled by the choice of ISO 800 when you have that much shutter speed to play with.

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by J. Chevrier on Sun Apr 11, 2004 1:01 pm

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Nice post, Steve! These guys can be skittish / move fast and you still managed to get a nice image here. I especially like the diagonal tree trunk, this makes it different / more powerful IMO.

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by fredcor on Mon Apr 12, 2004 7:21 am

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A very nicely composed shot. Sometimes these birds will stay and allow you to shoot; most the move too much and are difficult to capture.

The book I've found very useful is the "National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America". It is very comprhensive and excellently illustrated. I've had mine for many years, I think it's the first edition, I'm due a new copy

They are available in many stores, but Chapters will definately have them.