Friday, March 13, 2009

Looking up at the downy...

While looking through the camera lens at the herons the other day, I heard the soft, knock, knock, knocking of a Downy Woodpecker right above me. When I looked up, there he was. I lifted the monopod and rested it on a branch to get this shot. The camera, lens, 2x TC, and monopod are surprisingly heavy held at that angle!

I like how the backlighting makes his 
red feathers almost look aflame. 

…again, the sun really enhances his color.

14 comments:

Phil and Mandy said...

Hi, what a lovely Woodpecker...the 2nd picture inparticular...what camera do you use? Phil

Kelly said...

Thanks! The lighting really brought him to life. It's my hubby's camera, a Nikon D700, 70-200mm f2.8 VR lens, 2xTC. He misses his camera...

Laure Ferlita said...

Wow - those red feathers really glow! Awesome shots!!

p.s. loved the comment about your hubby missing his camera!

Kim said...

Love the downy pictures. Such pretty birds.

Nick S said...

Yep, that Red is crazy ! :-)

How do you like using the monopod Kelly?
I prefer handholding my lens as I find tripods etc too cumbersome to carry around for the most part.

Kelly said...

...I don't "like" it, but it's necessary for the heron shots because they are so far away and I have to crop the photos. The monopod helps take out some of the movement so the photos aren't too blurry. If I'm not using the 2xTC, I don't use it. I just hold the camera and the photos are fine. The monopod is more flexible than the tripod, but I've still lost a lot of shots because I'm not free to just move and click if something flies by (or is above me!). I should try the 2xTC without the monopod and see what kind of results I get. I just assumed I needed to stabilize the lens a bit.

Kelly said...

Laure and Kallen...Thank you! :-)

Roy said...

Kelly, you should be able to take handheld shots with your telephoto lens. I use a Raynox DCR-2020Pro 2.2x lens, and the bulk of the shots I take with it are handheld. The surfer shots? All handheld with the telephoto. Ditto the two shots of the Tufted Titmouse I just posted. In fact, a lot of the Winter waterfowl shots I posted last week were taken with that telephoto handheld. So you should be able to get away with it, too.

I like your Downy. We're pretty much overrun with them right now. Heh, heh!

Cyber Profe said...

Great photos Kelly!

JRandSue said...

Great blog,fantastic woodpecker images.Enjoy looking at your site.
jrandsue

Warren Baker said...

Great capture's Kelly. Really shows up the red crown feathers nicely.

Jayne said...

He's beautiful Kelly!

E said...

Awesome, the reds and the woodpecker are a lovely view. Very well captured.
Congrats, have a lovely day.

Kelly said...

Roy....I'm going to give it a try tomorrow. I just assumed the extra stabilization was necessary.

Sara...thanks, chica! I like your Merry-Go-Round ID photo!

JR&Sue...Thanks!! I stopped by your site too and it's fun. I like it!

Thanks, Warren...now if I could only get my bird sightings up to where you and Frank tally.

Thank you Jayne!!

Thanks, Enita...you too!!