Though the Northern Flicker is common here in northern Utah I find them very difficult to approach. This morning I found one that had other things on its mind so it ignored me.
1/1250, f/8, ISO 640, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, out of focus branch removed, not baited, set up or called in
I spotted a different flicker in a tree near Glover Pond in Farmington but it was buried deeply in the branches and barely visible. Just after I stopped my pickup to watch that woodpecker this female flicker (no red malar or “moustache) flew in and landed within a few feet of the first bird. I was quite close to the tree and I suspect it was the presence of the first flicker that drew this one in and influenced it stay long enough for me to get quite a few shots of it. I can count on one hand the number of times a flicker has been this comfortable with me so close and most of those times I was without my photo gear.
I thought the effect of the side light on the bird was interesting and I enjoyed getting this much detail in a flicker image. This was one of the few shots where she had light on her face. I believe she’s looking directly at the other flicker and its direction was fortuitous for me because that’s the only direction she could be looking where I could get light on her face and still see it well. Some of the out of focus branches are less than attractive but the setting is natural and the bird is clear of obstructions so overall I do like the image.
Ron
She’s quite the spiffy lady!
I love the edges of her feathers on her “bib” and the gaze to the left as well as the light under the tail.
Oh. Wow. What an incredible bird, what an incredible photo. And I would agree with Patty, the slightly out of focus branch add immeasurably to the image.
If you and Patty both like those OOF branches I just might have to reevaluate my perspective, Elephant’s Child. Maybe you’re right, at least they aren’t in the foreground.
Just stunning!!
Thank you.
She is just beautiful. Glad you were able to get a good shot of her.
I think she is too, Susan. Thank you.
I also like the double V effect….on the birds breast and formed by branches…
A beautiful, serene image…so crisp, I can see the barbels on the tail feathers…amazing focus! I particularly like the warm light on the face and tail. I think the slightly out of focus branches on the right are actually more pleasing artistically than if eveything was equally crisp and clear. I like that effect…
I always appreciate your input from an artist’s perspective, Patty. I also enjoy that you use terminology that I used to teach my students (barbs, barbules and hooks, etc.) when I was teaching. Thank you.
nice light, nice detail
Thanks, Dianne.