A few weeks ago, I heard a few Pileated Woodpeckers communicate to eachother and fly across the river. I sat there, waited, and then they flew back across and landed pretty close to me. It is fascinating to watch these giant birds fly. I put together this first shot to show the flight. This flight style is typical of all woodpeckers.
He chose a tree pretty close, which is pretty unusual for these elusive birds, since I was out in the open.
Then chose the next tree that happened to be saturated in sun and backlit from my perspective.
These photos are not my finest. I talked about my lens being sick, so most of these were hurriedly manual focus.
Once again it pays to be in the right place at the right time. Great stuff!
ReplyDeleteEspecially love that typical woodpecker undulating flight pattern!
ReplyDeleteGreat shots.We do have these around here but they have not learned how to pose right.LOL
ReplyDeleteBlessings,Ruth
Not your best eh? Phooey..they are great! even that eye is clear and colorful. Great job using manual Hannibal!!
ReplyDeleteI loved these shots - a pileated is just so exciting to see!
ReplyDeleteI would be sickened if my camera or lens went belly-up! The pileated shots are, still in search of this photgraphic capture!
ReplyDeleteMaybe not your best shots but they are still more than ok... This bird is beautiful, I like his head kind of crest... I would have like to do these pictures... Great job..
ReplyDeleteVery cool how you put that photo together to show the flap/coast flight of the woodpeckers! I have not had much of a chance to see these guys either and I looked and listened so hard this weekend! I enjoyed these shots alot, especially the close up showing his eyes.
ReplyDeleteVery nice. They never land in a tree close to me though.
ReplyDeleteThanks Hannibal...these are just great!
ReplyDeleteGreat captures, Hannibal! (Especially considering you were working with a sick lens...)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
I popped over from Picus' Woodpecker round up. I love your shots of the Pileatead. I hear them often in the woods and they dash through the yard occasionally but I have never had the chance to photograph them. Your shots are fabu.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on capturing this very elusive bird!! I feel your pain with the lens. My favorite (300mm L IS f/4) went into the creek with me and I had to buy a new one:(
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