(Pennsylvania) Pileated Woodpecker

[artsnimages]

Well it's not quite south, but southern Pennsyltucky!

The old "Marsh Monkey" (Squatty) will tell you that I have quite an Owl fetish so trying not to waste a day I ventured out to one of our State Game Lands
(That's Dang Yankee) for a WMA to you southern folks. I started calling Barred Owls but the only response I got was from these guys but they would not get to where I could get a good shot but right into the sun. I put the Pileated CD into my vehicle audio system and closed all the windows except my sun roof where the sound would project straight up and By Golly it worked like a charm.. They came and stayed directly above me allowing me to shoot through my open sun roof. The light was still not great with them in the shadows but I had my trusty 580EX and I let them have a little man-made illumination and it worked out just fine.. Not the best images with all of theri movement but I'm happy as these things are my Nemesis along with King Fishers.

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u115/dizzyduck69/Pileated0901WS.jpg


http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u115/dizzyduck69/Pileated0902WS.jpg


http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u115/dizzyduck69/Pileated0903WS.jpg


http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u115/dizzyduck69/Pileated0904WS.jpg

All with the Canon EOS 1D Mark IIN, EF100-400, 1.4X Extender and the 580 EX. ISO 320, AV Mode, High Speed Sync, Flash + 1.3 EV

Jim

[Steve_E]

These are absolutely beautiful Jim. Your plan of approach was brilliant, great work.

I got my first close shots of a Pileated while in Florida in the spring. These birds always get my full attention when I hear them. Approaching is always tricky so your plan was a great strategy. The Kingfishers continue to be a favorite of mine, I use the stake out technique with camo cover, works well.

[rpearce12]

Great job, Jim. I really like the first one with its tongue sticking out.

[Squatty]

Steve, you have got to post some of your Kingfishers. You will make old Jim drool. :D

[jckegley]

Fun shots, Jim. I think the Pileated is everyone's favorite woodpecker, but probably one of the harder ones to capture. They are not the friendliest birds and they love to play hide and seek around the tree trunks.

The king fisher is my nemesis too. Be prepared, if Steve _E posts his shots you will probably become sick with envy. I know I do.

[rkemmerlin]

Great series Jim, I really like the final image the best although all of them are better than my best shot of a pileated.

I'd love to see Steve's kingfisher images again, they are as good as it gets.