Good looking Sapsucker....

I went out in the woods about 15 miles from home to a pond. I didn't see any birds for an hour. I heard a pecking sound and behind me here was this Red-naped sapsucker working on an Oak tree about 60 feet away. He was only 4 feet off the ground. I watched him for about 20 minutes then moved up closer. Eventually after about 60 minutes I got within 15 feet of him. He kept looking at me but wasn't afraid. The light was terrible on the side he was on. The sun was to the right and behind the tree. ISO was at 1600. I managed to get a few shots anyway.

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Pretty darned good.

Nice shots Steve! Really like that first one.

A beautiful bird Steve... he looks a lot like my buddy the Yellow-bellied, pretty shots for the conditions.. almost all my sapsucker shots end up being taken on the dark side of the tree... must be a sapsucker trait

db

These are great Steve.....He's a good looking woodpecker.

Jack Cooper wrote in post #11078461
Pretty darned good.

Thanks Jack..

Zethar wrote in post #11078802
Nice shots Steve! Really like that first one.

Thank you...

dbriz wrote in post #11078894
A beautiful bird Steve... he looks a lot like my buddy the Yellow-bellied, pretty shots for the conditions.. almost all my sapsucker shots end up being taken on the dark side of the tree... must be a sapsucker trait

db

This one sure stayed on that tree, pecking here and there, moving back and forth in the same area. Maybe a bug inside that oak tree that he wanted. They do look like the yellow-bellied without the bright yellow belly. They have some pale yellow on them. This was the only bird I took photos of at the pond today. The waterhole was vacant too!
Thanks db!

Shar824 wrote in post #11079160
These are great Steve.....He's a good looking woodpecker.

Thank you Sharon, I was lucky to see this bird today!

Nice, I know how hard it is to get close!

peregrineflier wrote in post #11079594
Nice, I know how hard it is to get close!

Thanks Tom, this bird was so busy it wasn't concerned with me. Usually a Woodpecker will take off if you move. Maybe it has never seen a person before!

Sweet shots Steve. You've got some great species to shoot at there.

Nice find. He's a fat little guy, must be finding plenty to eat.

Love the great variety of birds in your area. Great work on these, Steve.

chubri777 wrote in post #11079978
Sweet shots Steve. You've got some great species to shoot at there.

Thanks Chuck, I was really surprised yesterday, the sun was out and very few birds around. I didn't see one bird come down to the pond to take a drink. I was really happy to see this bird!

canonloader wrote in post #11080928
Nice find. He's a fat little guy, must be finding plenty to eat.

He sure does look healthy! Thanks Mitch, good to hear from you.

sparker1 wrote in post #11080935
Love the great variety of birds in your area. Great work on these, Steve.

Thanks Stan, are you back home now? That was quite the trip you took, I'm jealous.

Steve, Great shots of this lil fellow, looks to have been eating well ))... Your variety there is amazing.

Dan

Beautiful bird. Nice shot Steve.