Pileated Coming' at Ya

Image Critiques Avian Critiques
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Pileated Coming' at Ya
Pileated Coming' at Ya1488×1159 520 KB

I have a recurring male pileated woodpecker coming into the backyard suet block and I was fortunate to snag this shot of hime taking off recently. I realize the BG is busy but he’s usually IN busy stuff back there and this was one of the few times I’ve managed to get a clean shot of him inflight. Oh, and I never really know for sure exactly when he will take off, or in which direction (although sometimes there’s a “tell” which way he’s about to go by him giving repeated looks in a specific direction. Very challenging.

Specific Feedback Requested

Cropping? Exposure?

Technical Details

D500, Nikon 200-500 lens, monopod, 1/2000th, f 8.0, monopod, 300mm, ISO 6400, AI Clear, cropped to 2879 x 2242

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Hi Dave, interesting head on shot you were able to capture. Shows off their power during lift off. I’m wondering if the focus stayed on the tree in the background as that looks sharper than the bird to me and settings look fine for birds in flight.