Red Headed Woodpecker

[Jaedon]

I noticed about 10 of these guys in the woods across from our lodgings in Florida this week. I went out this morning and found a few of them to shoot. Going to go back otu tomorrow morning and see if I can get a little beter lighting and timing on the shots next time.

[mn shutterbug]

I haven't seen a redheaded woodpecker in at least a decade. They used to be fairly common in the agricultural areas. Where have they all gone? I sure hope you can get closer to this bird, when you go back. Be sure to post more of them.

[Loupey]

I haven't seen a redheaded woodpecker in at least a decade... Where have they all gone?

I haven't seen a single one in the last two years. The local park rangers have issued an APB to everyone to report any sightings in our area.

Thanks for sharing these, Jaedon.

[Jaedon]

I just got home after driving for 22 hours. I am copying the pics form my lappie to my main machine. As soon as the post work is done I will be posting new shots. I got some really nice light shortly after dawn the next day. But no sleep and a long drive make Jae a weary photographer.

***adding images***
Top image: slight crop for composition
Bottom image: composed in camera - resized for posting
Both images sharpened with Smart Sharpen in Photoshop - Levels adjustment

I blew out the highlights to get the colour of the head to pop more against the sky. Should I dodge and burn the highlights out to reduce the distraction?

[Jaedon]

Found a few more that I really liked.

[mn shutterbug]

Those are nice shots, but I have to admit, his blown breast is quite distracting. Without seeing the original I can only guess, but couldn't you have just done something with just his red head and kept the rest from blowing out, by using the magic wand?

[paulnj]

Those things arte always hard to shot. They seem to always be at a bad angle to the sun when I find them and in a marsh that you only have one shooting angle.....grrrr

[mn shutterbug]

Challenges is what it's all about, eh?