Unusual Pileated

Three things I learned from this series. First is that I don't think I've seen them working on the root of a tree, especially with snow around the corner. Second is that with very low light I had to use 100 to 160th shutter speed and they turned out decent and third also because of low light I used my 100-400l at F5.6 which I read was not very good. I think I can use wide open more often.

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Awesome. Everytime I see one, I either can't get close enough or there isn't enough light. These are just perfect.

#1 is a wonderful shot, my fav. The other too are great too and showing interesting behavior, is he hunting ants?

Great behavioral shots; and yes, the 100-400 ought to be able to be used wide open just fine. I shoot mine almost exclusively at 5.6.

Beautiful shots. The pileated is on my bird photo wish list.

Excellent! Yep, he is insect hunting , they do that here under my Cedar tree, but never have the camera with me when I am walking in the back!

Super shots, Claude. That red head sure adds colour to the drab fall colours. That tree trunk must be rotting at the base for her to be able to chisel at it like that.

Nice shots. I tend to get better results with my 100-400 at f8.

You've done really well to get these at a relatively slow shutter speed. I often photograph Greater spotted Woodpeckers and have never gotten useable shots at anything slower than 1/320 sec. News to me that pileated Woodpeckers would hunt insects on the ground, I thought they were tree feeders.

Excellent shots Claude, great behavior stuff. I figure there has to be something eatable there or he would not be doing that.
Great set, Well done

Thanks to all for the great comments.

Beautiful shots Claude, excellent detail... I see a lot of them working on the tree roots around here, chips flying everywhere

Dave

I really like these.
I cant wait to get up north to get a Pileated.
Youve done very well.
I havent gotten those results wide open.

Very nice. I always enjoy interesting behavior shots.

They are such great shots, Claude. An excellent set.