And the Achilles’ heel of a long focal length, prime lens.
1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Two days ago while I was photographing adult and fledgling Yellow Warblers in the Wasatch Mountains this adult male Downy Woodpecker flew in and landed in a tree very close to my pickup. So close I couldn’t fit all of him in the frame (even though they’re our smallest woodpecker) so all I could do was go for a head shot. I like the good detail close shots provide but I’d rather have the entire bird and I don’t like the out-of-focus branch so close to the woodpecker’s face.
I did quickly grab my smaller zoom lens for a few shots but by then he had moved further up the tree and I didn’t like those images. As far as I’m concerned this is the primary shortcoming of a quality prime (fixed focal length, no zoom) lens – birds can be too close. I wish I’d grabbed my smaller zoom lens in the first place instead of spending any time on him with my 500mm.
1/5000, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Two hours later after I’d returned to the same spot this adult male landed in another tree much further away. At first I thought it had the look of a very young juvenile but when I looked at the image again last night I realized that juvenile males haven’t yet developed the red patch on the back of their head. So this may be the same bird as earlier but I can’t be sure.
Normally this bird would be too small in the frame for my tastes but the more I look at the image the more I like it. He’s placed perfectly on the branch for the leaves to frame him, I like both the natural setting and the background, the pose and the light angle worked out, the bird is sharp and for me the image just has a good feel about it.
To be perfectly honest I’m not positive this bird isn’t a Hairy Woodpecker instead of a Downy but from the size of the bill I lean towards Downy.
Ron
Love the 2nd shot. What a cutie. Thanks Ron!
Thank you, Jean.
If wishes were horses this beggar would be galloping (at speed) all over the place.
That said, while understanding and even sympathising with your frustrations, I do like the portrait shot and love having the contrast between the two shots.
You make a good point about the contrast between the two, EC. Thanks.
When I lived in Dallas and then Fort Worth, I’d call these guys Hairy Downys! Similar to my dilemma between the Cooper’s and Sharp-shinned hawks, I just can’t ID them on the fly. But then, I’m not that fussy and nobody’s giving me style points on the basis of my Hairy/Downy, Cooper’s/Sharpy identification skills–which are negligible at best.
Either way, they’re just GORGEOUS! I love both the head shot and the full-body shot. I really like the up close detail of the head shot, but the whole-body shot has lots of good points, too. In short, I’m not fussy. I’m just going to bathe in the glory of their splendiforishness with a big smile on my face, thankful that you brought their loveliness into my life this morning! 😉
Ha, that’s a creative way to deal with those two difficult ID challenges, Laura. Whatever works! 🙂
I’m much better if I can hold them on the fist, but alas, the Sharpy/Cooper’s rarely allow me that advantage. Go figure 😉
As per usual, my tastes are a bit different. I do like the 2nd one, but I personally like the 1st one more, if possible (Which for me is usually rare) if a bird or any animal is close enough I think portraits can bring in more of an emotional response and make a “better” image. Plus I haven’t seen to many portraits of smaller birds such as Downys, so it could just be a matter of preference. Great hob Ron, these posts are some of the highlights of my day.
I appreciate your perspective, Xavier. Thank you.
“I almost didn’t even open the image while culling. I’m glad I gave it a chance.” Eeeeeek! Don’t scare me! 😉 I’m glad this fabulous shot didn’t fall to the wrath of your itchy delete finger. 🙂
Yup, I am too, Marty. Thanks.
Thanks for starting my day with a smile. When I lived in the east, Downy’s were my favorite feeder bird. Since I haven’t seen one in at least 10 years, it’s a pleasure to see one again. My guess is also that this is a Downy Woodpecker. The Hairy Woodpeckers are significantly larger, with a comparatively longer bill. Just for the record, juvenile male Downy Woodpeckers DO have the red spot: but it’s on their forehead, and it migrates back as they mature. The coloration of a western Downy is significantly different from that of an eastern one. We have Ladderback Woodpeckers here, and they are an “acceptable” substitute for the Downy… They are equally fun to watch. 🙂
Glad you enjoyed the post, Susan. Agreed, but what I said was juvies don’t have the red spot on the BACK of their head like adult males do. Thank you.
Very cute little birds…love rhem! Except when they are hammering on my house….
I’ve had the same problem with Northern Flickers.
The worst sound I ever heard in my house when I was living in VA was a Red-bellied Woodpecker drummming on my chimney cover. The zinging sound traveling through the walls was really scary until I was smart enough to go outside and look up. Needless to say, the bird was grinning from ear to ear, really proud of himself.
As an image, I think the second one is about as close to perfect as they come–but I can’t get over a particular detail clearly shown in the first ! The “eyelids” appear to be
almost beaded–as if they’re in tiny divided sections. Is this the way they are in birds in general ?
Thank you, Kris. Yes, I believe so. I’ve seen those “beads” around the eye in many closup shots of a variety of species.
Very nice portrait of the Downy! The second photo is lovely…I find everything about it appealing…the colors, composition, and especially the position of the bird cradled in the crux of the branch! Perfect. A side question…is that an Alder tree? That ‘fruit’ looks like it might be.( I always check the details to see what grows where.)
Thanks, Kathy. I don’t know but I am curious about what it is. Those little fruits (or whatever they are) got me wondering too. I’m not much of a botanist I’m afraid.
Kathy, a friend says it’s an Alder and those are seed cones.
Thanks for confirming my guess. The tiny cones they produce are beauties. I don’t like ‘tic-picking’ so I tend to stay out of the woods in the spring/summer and haven’t seen the green stage in quite a few years. 🙂
Good head shot! 😉 I’m guessing Downy, BUT they are a challenge unless both are present – we have both. The 2nd shot certainly would be easy to think of as a juvenile being fluffed up as it is……. Nice shot, Ron.:)
Thanks, Judy. I don’t think I’ve ever photographed a Hairy Woodpecker.
The close up is great but I love that second Downy photo! It has so much grace and rhythm – The branch and leaves are beautiful in the frame and the bird has such an interesting alert pose. Bravo!!
I’m glad you like that second shot, Joanne. The bird is small enough in the frame that I almost didn’t even open the image while culling. I’m glad I gave it a chance.