My first Pileated

We've heard the pileated woodpecker in our neighborhood for years, but only spotted him a couple of times, and I never had a chance to grab a shot of him. This morning was different - I saw a flash of red, and about 100 feet away, high on a branch, there he was, pecking away on a branch looking for tasty bugs to eat. I took this shot looking out an upstairs window of my home in Marlboro, Massachusetts.

Shot with a 7D, 100-400L at 400mm, f/5.6, 1/2000 sec, ISO 800

Well done and congrats.

Really nice shot at least he posed for a minute in the light for you! LOL

Well done!
Any shot of these elusive birds is a trophy.
Wonderful shot!

There are notoriously in the darkest area they can find. great job

Thanks for your comments. It had been very frustrating for several years hearing its call but never seeing it in good light. I guess yesterday was my lucky day.

Congratulations!

Try this. If a Pileated is nearby, set yourself, and your camera of course, up for a shot in his direction. Hit the nearest tree with a solid object and try to imitate the same rate of pecking at the tree as the bird. Chances are he will wonder who is eating in his territory and fly over close to check it out. I've had them land a few feet away and only flew off when I moved. And no, I don't have a photo as good as yours.

congrats- now that you've broken the ice it will be easier to get more shots- hopefully

Hope you get to shoot more...

Congrats Michael, its a beautiful photo of this marvelous woody, love the surrounding shot too.