Pileated Woodpecker and young


Posted by Juan A. Pons on Tue Aug 26, 2003 8:30 pm

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This nest was very close to my house approximately 200 feet from a womans front door. I found out about it less than one week before the chicks fledged. The worse part was that during that entire time the weather was horrible and had very very little light. This was one of the best shots I was able to get. These are magnificent birds and I will be checking up on this next come next spring.

1/79
f 5.6
ISO 400
Canon 10d
Canon 500/4 IS
Canon 1.4x TC
550ex + Better Beamer
Tripod
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by Greg Downing on Tue Aug 26, 2003 8:32 pm
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The perfect moment captured!!! I might boost the contrast just slightly, but sweet as is. Love those babies!
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by E.J. Peiker on Tue Aug 26, 2003 8:32 pm
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This is a bird that is very high on my list of must photograph species and you have three in one shot - very nice shot too. I think I might have tried a flash as main light shot so that I could give the background less exposure and tone it down but I love it the way it is.
 

by Juan A. Pons on Tue Aug 26, 2003 8:43 pm
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Actually there where three chicks, however I was never able to capture all three chicks with one of the parents. Just before they fledged the three hung out by the entrance to the nest quite often but the sky was severly overcast with lots and lots of rain, and consequently there was very little light. I would have given anything to get all three chicks and both parents in one shot!

These guys are normally quite secretive and very difficult to photograph as they never sit still for very long. We do have them around our house quite often but had never been able to get a good image. In this case they did not mind me at all when I was just sitting there for hours on end trying to get some decent images.

EJ, I will try to remember to let you know if they nest at the same location next year. You would be more than welcome to come down and spend some quality time with these guys.
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by AlexC on Tue Aug 26, 2003 9:06 pm
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Juan, a very nice capture, indeed!!!, Love the threesome !!!
A touch more of mid-tones can do wonders!!!!
Congrats!!! 8)
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by RichardMittleman/Gon2Foto on Tue Aug 26, 2003 9:07 pm
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Very nice. The chicks are great and the hairdo on that adult is 8)
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by Richard on Tue Aug 26, 2003 9:12 pm
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This is so cute! Love these birds and have yet to get one! Have to agree about the contrast boost. Sweet image!
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by Cindy Marple on Tue Aug 26, 2003 9:53 pm
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I love the moment you've captured! What a treat to have this in an accessible location. Nice composition. Let's hope they choose the same or a nearby spot for next year's family.
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by Bruce Sherman on Tue Aug 26, 2003 10:15 pm
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Juan,
Great catch! A little work in PS could do wonders.
 

by Andrew Mc on Tue Aug 26, 2003 11:00 pm
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Always great to see behavioural shots - this one is a beauty.
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by Alan Murphy on Tue Aug 26, 2003 11:41 pm
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I think the flash did great for the detail in the blacks but made the eyes look a little weird, Great shot.
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by LHays on Wed Aug 27, 2003 3:30 am
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Good suggestions have been made. This is a wonderful shot....and to think you had a nest so close. I'll bet you get some great shots next year....keep watching.
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by KK Hui on Wed Aug 27, 2003 7:03 am
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Apart from the BG and contrast issues ... this is an excellent shot indeed, Juan! :)
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by Sandy Mossberg on Wed Aug 27, 2003 9:28 am
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A very special image, Juan.
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by Alan Melle on Wed Aug 27, 2003 10:02 am
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Terrific! You caught the moment well. Excellent use of fill flash to keep the nest cavity from becoming a black hole. Use of flash isn't really evident otherwise. Nicely done.
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by sriram on Wed Aug 27, 2003 11:29 am
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Moment beautifully captured.rain or shine one has to look for the right moment and shoot.
 

by Mike Wilson on Wed Aug 27, 2003 1:22 pm
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Wow. Great nature story. Hard to complain about anything when you can get them together like this.
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by Anthony Medici on Thu Aug 28, 2003 4:35 pm
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When I first looked at this, I thought it needed something. Maybe more saturation, maybe more contrast. Then I read Alex's post. I agree with Alex. The image itself is wonderful, I was only looking to improve the web presentation. :)
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by Juli Wilcox on Thu Aug 28, 2003 5:59 pm
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Hi Juan---excellent composition, very well balanced and to get 3 of these critters together is a feat! I think the catch-lights are a little unnatural but if color balancing, I would consider a Curves adjustment to bring up the dark point and reduce the highlight point. Adjusting mid-tones would also work to bring the colors more into balance as suggested by Alex, but I would go the other route first which might do the job without midtones. :)
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by Chip Estabrooks on Fri Aug 29, 2003 7:55 am
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I have spent many unproductive hours in pursuit of this bird.
Very nice and I agree with EJ's comments.
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