Red-bellied Woodpecker

CDMOOSE wrote in post #16912936
Outstanding shots of a truly beautiful woodpecker, Bret. And one can actually see the red belly for once. That last shot is great, but I'd be tempted to put some Photoshop skills to use and get rid of his mouthful of food. Come to think of it, we had a female red-belly appear a couple winters ago, they are rare in our area, and I got a good shot of it, but it had a big snag of suet hanging from it's bill. Not anymore, though!
Al

Thanks very much Al, actually I did try on the suet in the beak but it looked so bad, I just left it in there, He did have a mouthful for sure! I did however take out a big patch of suet in that crack, there was a bunch there, that turned out ok. Just couldn't make the beak look even passable. Thank You kindly Sir!

Nighthound wrote in post #16912979
Excellent series Bret, VERY nice detail and color.

Thank You very much Steve, means quite a bit coming from a Master such as yourself, much appreciated!

jtmiv wrote in post #16913045
Dear Bret,

That is a very nice series of shots. Thanks for posting them, they give me something to aim for.

I don't know where you live but around here after goldfinches, house finches, and sparrows woodpeckers of various species are probably my most common visitors. A double barreled suet cage and plenty of pine trees make for happy woodpeckers.

I am fortunate to get Downy's, Red bellied, and Pileated woodpeckers and I really enjoy watching them so much that I often just look out the kitchen window and leave the camera in the bag.

Regards,

Tim Murphy

Thanks very much Tim, I live in Northern Virginia on a little spit of land and consider myself lucky to have all of my buddies out back. There is a Pileated that is in the process of cutting an Ash tree in half, of course he only comes and leaves chips on the ground when I am not here. Several Downy's a Hairy now and agin and all of the other locals, actually was going after some Goldies when this guy showed up. Funny though, I find myself doing the same thing, just watching out the back window, a great way to spend some time I say! Thank You again!

CaptBob wrote in post #16913206
glad he showed- nicely captured

Thanks very much Captain, very much appreciated!

2n10 wrote in post #16913225
Great shots Bret.

Thank You kindly Sir!

jhayesvw wrote in post #16913272
Wow Bret.
Those last 3 are superb.
Not that the rest arent great too.

Thanks very much Jeremy, I kind of like the third from the last, Thanks very much my friend!

grizzerbear wrote in post #16913657
Breathtaking, Bret. If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, consider it yours.
It is quality, composition, and clarity like this that I long to emulate.
Masterfully done.

Thank You Barry for such gracious writing, practice and a great lens are the only secrets. I know my lens is the key to the quality of my shots, Expensive, yes but worth every dollar. Thanks again very much!

chefjellynow wrote in post #16913666
Awesome pics!

Thanks very much Chef!

Grizz wrote in post #16913710
Excellent shots Bret!

Thanks to you Craig! Very Much....

PixelPusher wrote in post #16913893
Wow! Just can't say enough at how good these shots are. The bar is raised again.

Thanks very much! It's in the glass!

ldn323 wrote in post #16913931
Bret,
Very nicely done.

Thank You kindly Linh!

Grizz1 wrote in post #16913979
Since I have dozens of the Red Bellies in my yard daily the quality of these shots are truly appreciated. The detail and colors have been captured very well, even the red eye in all of them. And I was nearly satisfied with my shots of the RB, until now. These Woodpeckers rule over all other birds at my feeders except the N Flicker and Raptors, even the Blue Jays wait their turn patiently behind the Red Bellies.

Thanks to you Steve, they are one of the bosses here until the Starlings, Grackles gang up but the RB's put up more than a respectable fight, it takes 5 or 6 to chase him into the trees, Really appreciate your kind words, Thank You ,my friend!

Peter2516 wrote in post #16914142
Great shots.

Thanks very much Peter!

CamFan01 wrote in post #16914468
Fantastic group of captures Bret!
You not only captured the bird exquisitely, but managed to show some of his personality too. I had to laugh at the 2nd image...a look seen very often
The "horizontals" (#'s 4 & 6) are great! They do manage amazing acrobatic feats don't they. I'd have to guess that somewhere in the beak filled with suet he's smiling too. At least it looks that way to me. Awesome job as always!

Thank You once again my friend! I love that look in the second shot, trying to figure me out with such an innocent look, Very cool woodies for sure. Thanks again my friend, much appreciated once again!

You never cease to amaze with your photographic skills Bret. Such an outstanding set...as always!

Sweet captures Bret.

Stunning series! Absolutely fabulous captures! So where were you hiding that yummy suet! LOL

Real nice Bret

SJC from VT wrote in post #16915821
You never cease to amaze with your photographic skills Bret. Such an outstanding set...as always!

Thank You very much Sandy!

TedEllis wrote in post #16915837
Sweet captures Bret.

Thanks Ted.

butterfly2937 wrote in post #16915963
Stunning series! Absolutely fabulous captures! So where were you hiding that yummy suet! LOL

Thanks very much, actually there was a big clump that I cloned out in the big crack!

Pondrader wrote in post #16915970
Real nice Bret

Thank You my friend!

Beautiful. #3 is my fav.

These WPs are one of the most skittish in my neighborhood but got some shots of a male the other day I thought were pretty decent or should have been. Then I looked at this post. Then I downloaded my shots and then I decided nope, I didn't get the job done. You set a mean precedent, my friend. As said, top notch photography, Bret.

Gorgeous captures, Bret! Masterfully done!

ed57gmc wrote in post #16917152
Beautiful. #3 is my fav.

Thanks very much Ed!

ardeekay wrote in post #16917591
These WPs are one of the most skittish in my neighborhood but got some shots of a male the other day I thought were pretty decent or should have been. Then I looked at this post. Then I downloaded my shots and then I decided nope, I didn't get the job done. You set a mean precedent, my friend. As said, top notch photography, Bret.

Thanks Rog, much appreciated but don't knock your work at all, ever!

depthfinder wrote in post #16918369
Gorgeous captures, Bret! Masterfully done!

Thanks very much Vivien, been a long time since your post's have graced this forum, mine pale compared to the set you posted! Thanks very much, enjoy paradise, (except for Winter, lol)

Wonderful series Bret, superb quality here.

Beautiful series. Love #2. He looks like he's trying to figure out why you're taking his picture. Priceless expression!

Great shots Bret for what appears to be a deeply shaded area. I especially like the last two.

Sorry Bret I commented days ago but I must have left the page instead of posting lol stupid is as stupid does. Awesome all Bret