Pileated Woodpecker in backyard

I was on the porch this AM watching my new feeder for activity and this guy came in and started pecking on my palms! I didn't have my camera with me because I wasn't expecting any activity (silly me), and I was inside a screened in porch. So I ran inside, grabbed my camera and crept around the outside. I was only able to capture two shots before he moved around the backside of the palm and eventually moved to trees deeper in the woods.

I looked him up, since I don't know much about anything, and it says they usually peck on dead or dying trees and are usually in thick forests. However these palms are very much alive and healthy, and I live more in the suburbs where the houses here are in pretty close proximity. I guess it's the type of bark? Is that normal? Does the fact that I have the feeder with black seed in the area have anything to do with this sighting? I have never seen one of these before, it seems like a coincidence that I would see one fly right into my backyard the first day with the feeder while sipping on my coffee!

I hope he comes back again! C&C always welcomed, thanks for looking!

40D + 70-200 F4 L @ 200MM, 1600ISO, F5.6, 1/1000
Handheld at about 50% crop, I think I backfocused by half an inch

Verty nice shot Patrick. Congrats on your first Pileated.

The feeder might have added incentive but this one looks pretty focused on insects. I see them here in SC mainly in the pines and Live Oaks. I've seen quite a few posts here over the years with them at feeders, particularly suet.

I see you have your Image Editing OK turned on so I did a 1 minute edit in the shadows. It appears that you have plenty of good data in the shadows even in the JPEG so if you shoot RAW you'll be in great shape for adjustments. I used the shadows and highlights in PS which I don't normally do but it's a quick way to determine if the shadows will hold up. I applied the adjustment to the bird and tree only by using a separate layer and deleting the background so that the change is on the tree and bird only. It gives it a bit of a fill flash look. To take it another step I would probably apply a slight bit of noise reduction to the black on the bird and the background as well.

Thank you Steve! After looking at the original again the shadows definitely do need a lift. I did a simple shadow adjustment in LR and applied a tad more NR. I think it looks much better now.

Do you think I can expect to see this one again?

Very cool, Patrick! Those are not easy to catch, generally.

Loxley wrote in post #16604748
Thank you Steve! After looking at the original again the shadows definitely do need a lift. I did a simple shadow adjustment in LR and applied a tad more NR. I think it looks much better now.

Do you think I can expect to see this one again?

That looks great. I pushed it a bit more than necessary in my haste, yours looks better especially on the bird's back. No telling if it'll return. They're attracted to insect-rich trees so keep your eyes peeled and ears open. I usually hear them before I see them.

Impressive birds in person aren't they Patrick?
You did a good job catching up to her and your capture is very nice. I like what both you and Steve did in post in bringing her out of the shadows.
As for her return.....if she found bugs she'll be back. If you'd like to increase your chances of seeing her and others you should hang a suet block feeder somewhere nearby. Hopefully we'll all see more from your neck of the woods

An excellent capture of a difficult to approach woodpecker, do like the re-edited posts, well done. The Pileated has a very loud, almost irritating call,hard to forget once you hear one of them, so take notice if you hear them in your neighborhood again. I've never had one come in to any of my feeders, instead they feed mainly on dead trees near where I live in a very rural area. Hopefully more will return to your yard and even use the feeder as you have done well with the chance encounter today.

Lucky you! They are a very beautiful, impressive bird, that can make some huge holes in their search for bugs. I hear them, then watch them fly over my head!

Thanks everyone! It appears I definitely lucked out this time. I'm glad I was able to pop off couple of shots... next time I'll be nice and close, ready to shoot from my bird hide lol