Red-bellied Woodpecker

Rarity that he is in our neck of the woods, this male red-bellied woodpecker has been around virtually daily since October 30th. I keep trying for the perfect shot of him, but a lot of cloudy days and his infrequent visits have made it difficult.

Stunning shots, Al. I know what you mean about those drab and gloomy days making shooting so difficult! Exceedingly fabulous considering the difficulties encountered!

Fantastic shots great detail
Colin

awesome shots Al- one of my favorite critters

Very nice shots Al, I finally found one today but I was supposed to be at work and he's not peopleized at all I guess. Very skittish, I'll have to keep working on him.

Ishrani wrote in post #17823797
Stunning shots, Al. I know what you mean about those drab and gloomy days making shooting so difficult! Exceedingly fabulous considering the difficulties encountered!

Thank you, Ishrani. And even when the sun shines, it's low angle sometimes imparts a strange lighting effect. I much prefer summer, for more reasons than one.

cogs v wrote in post #17823800
Fantastic shots great detail
Colin

Thank you, Colin.

CaptBob wrote in post #17823904
awesome shots Al- one of my favorite critters

Thanks, Bob. Yes, I see where you must have them all the time; not so here.

daverator wrote in post #17823931
Very nice shots Al, I finally found one today but I was supposed to be at work and he's not peopleized at all I guess. Very skittish, I'll have to keep working on him.

Thanks, Dave. It's quite strange how this species seems to occasionally irrupt further north and west during winter from what is their normal summer range. I was surprised, given your location, that you would see one there, but a quick check shows them as far, in winter, as NE Montana.

Beautiful. I heard one today but couldn't find it in the trees.

I,d say you did him extremally well,considering your adverse conditions!
Loads of details!

tupe wrote in post #17824019
Beautiful. I heard one today but couldn't find it in the trees.

Thank you.

mandokid1 wrote in post #17824027
I,d say you did him extremally well,considering your adverse conditions!
Loads of details!

Thanks, Denis; I appreciate your commenting.

Those aren't perfect? Very nice Al. Dull and dreary weather here is keeping me indoors. These guys are starting to appear regularly in NS too, although I haven't caught up with them yet.

I must agrre with Ian there Al, especially the second shot, Well done indeed.

Awesome Al. I wish to photograph this someday. A real beauty.

Looks like you still managed a couple of great photos Al.
You'll get "the shot". Keep at it.

Wallace River wrote in post #17824621
Those aren't perfect? Very nice Al. Dull and dreary weather here is keeping me indoors. These guys are starting to appear regularly in NS too, although I haven't caught up with them yet.

Oldjackssparrows wrote in post #17824868
I must agrre with Ian there Al, especially the second shot, Well done indeed.

Peter2516 wrote in post #17825322
Awesome Al. I wish to photograph this someday. A real beauty.

jhayesvw wrote in post #17825361
Looks like you still managed a couple of great photos Al.
You'll get "the shot". Keep at it.

Thank you all very kindly. I am indeed pleased with these shots; I only meant it has been a real challenge to get a decent pose in good light. He sure is a beauty.

Very nice shots Al. Terrific detail. I wonder if a vertical crop might look better on that second one?