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Pretty Lady


Pretty Lady
Photo Information
Copyright: Richard Vincent (earthtraveler) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 427 W: 123 N: 947] (3483)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-08-29
Categories: Birds
Camera: Panasonic DMC-FZ50
Exposure: f/3.7, 1/80 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-08-30 5:57
Viewed: 3353
Points: 22
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This image of a female Downy Woodpecker was shot much earlier in the day compared to my previous post. The cool light, position on the branch, and BG being much farther away created a much different image. I like the soft painterly effect created even though this was shot with a tripod.

Downy Woodpecker
Picoides pubescens
The smallest and most common American woodpecker, the Downy Woodpecker is found throughout most of North America from Alaska to Florida. It lives in a variety of habitats from wilderness forests to urban backyards, and comes readily to bird feeders.

Description
• Small woodpecker.
• Black and white plumage.
• Plain white back.
• Small, pointed bill.
• Size: 14-17 cm (6-7 in)
• Wingspan: 25-30 cm (10-12 in)
• Weight: 21-28 g (0.74-0.99 ounces)

Sex Differences
Male with red patch on back of head, female with black patch.

Sound
Call note a sharp "pik." Also a harsh rattle or whinny

Conservation Status
Widespread and abundant. May be slightly increasing in some areas.

Other Names
Pic mineur (French)

Cool Facts
• The Downy Woodpecker is a frequent member of mixed species flocks in winter. The woodpecker is less vigilant looking for predators and more successful at foraging when in such a flock. It will readily join chickadees or other birds mobbing a predator, but it remains quiet and does not actually join in the mobbing.
• Male and female Downy Woodpeckers may stay in the same areas in winter, but they divide up where they look for food. The male feeds more on small branches and weed stems, and the female feeds more on large branches and the trunks of trees. Males appear to keep the females from foraging in the more productive spots. When the male is removed from a woodlot, the female shifts her foraging to the smaller branches.
• The Downy Woodpecker uses sources of food that larger woodpeckers cannot, such as the insect fauna of weed stems. It will cling to goldenrod galls to extract the gall fly larvae. The woodpecker prefers larger galls, and uses the exit tube constructed by the larva to extract it.
• The Downy Woodpecker varies gradually across its range. Larger birds are found in the north and at higher elevations, while smaller birds live in the south and at lower elevations. Western woodpeckers tend to have less white in the wings and less black on the outer tail feathers.

Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology
All About Birds website

Aperture Priority
ISO 200
F-Stop 3.7
Exp. 1/80th Sec.
Tripod

Thanks for taking a look and for those who may share their thoughts --- I appreciate it.

Richard
fartash, gracious, Argus, MMM, eqshannon, nglen, snowfalken, gannu, angybone has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
Artistic Qualityearthtraveler 2 08-31 08:34
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Critiques [Translate]

hello richard,
fine capture of frmale woodpecker, nice pov, well composed shot, good pose, nice dof,
tfs & regards
pankaj

Hello Richard
Very nice shot of this Downy Woodpecker,
Great focusing,BG and DOF,Welldone.

Good Luck
Fartash

Hello Richard,
I liked the size of the photo that see the perfect clarity of bird in details
the colouration is awesome with best pov involved!
very well composed and well seen indeed
thanks for sharing
Tony

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5038 W: 260 N: 15594] (50626)
  • [2007-08-30 7:56]

Hello Richard,
I agree, there is a feel of an oil or gouache painting about this image. This female Downy Woodpecker is shown with that type of softness, produced by the camera settings in low light: it isn't as if she moved; the stump and its lichens that she is sitting on have the same softness.
Nice 'watercolor' BG and excellent composition.
Pleasing to look at!
TFS,
Ivan

  • Great 
  • MMM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1114 W: 0 N: 2546] (11425)
  • [2007-08-30 8:28]

Hi Richard
Very nice compsition with lovely BG.The image is sharp whit great detaisl and very nice colors.I also like the POV.
TFS Michel

Yes you have a way with birds. Very well done. I much appreciate your work in the flight of nature kingdom. One can think of a few things to do with these. They almost look seasonal as a landscape in a total way.
Bob

Hello Richard,

What an unusual picture from you! It looks to me rather like a painting than a photo. I have no idea what you did to achieve this somewhat artistic effect in your picture. It's probably a combination of a slow shutter speed, long focal length and some other factors. Anyway, it stands out from the rest of the pictures due to this effect.
The composition is well done and the square format suits it perfectly. The background looks wonderful and emphasizes the subject. Contrast and saturation were well adjusted. The exposure was also well controlled but I can't say anything about the details or sharpness since they're not compatible with this effect. Anyway, an original post with certain artistic values! Thank you!

With Friendly Regards,
Eddie

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 988 W: 4 N: 3277] (14761)
  • [2007-08-31 7:09]

Richard lovely note and excellent shot. the shot is very composed and the pose ahah wonderful. ganesh

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2883 W: 30 N: 9683] (36145)
  • [2007-08-31 11:19]

Hi Richard. A fine shot of The Woodpecker. fine detail and pastel colours. a nice pose on the tree.as if it wants to have its photo taken. The detail looks soft but it some how works in this one for me. well done TFS. excellent notes too.
Nick.

Wonderful woodpecker series you have going. Great job with composition and pose.

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1393 W: 119 N: 5267] (23955)
  • [2007-10-06 12:11]

HelloRichard, very fine capture of that nice Downy ! Those guys are so pretty. Very well composed with good sharpness and exposure. Good stuff, thanks !

Mario

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