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.
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14 comments:

  1. Phil and MandyMarch 13, 2009 at 5:12 PM

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

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  2. KellyMarch 13, 2009 at 5:29 PM

    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...

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  3. Laure FerlitaMarch 13, 2009 at 5:58 PM

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

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

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  4. KimMarch 13, 2009 at 6:26 PM

    Love the downy pictures. Such pretty birds.

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  5. Nick SMarch 13, 2009 at 6:45 PM

    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.

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  6. KellyMarch 13, 2009 at 6:56 PM

    ...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.

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  7. KellyMarch 13, 2009 at 7:08 PM

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

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  8. RoyMarch 13, 2009 at 8:08 PM

    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!

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  9. Cyber ProfeMarch 13, 2009 at 9:12 PM

    Great photos Kelly!

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  10. JRandSueMarch 14, 2009 at 5:31 AM

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

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  11. Warren BakerMarch 14, 2009 at 7:05 AM

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

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  12. JayneMarch 14, 2009 at 8:17 AM

    He's beautiful Kelly!

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  13. EMarch 14, 2009 at 2:39 PM

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

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  14. KellyMarch 14, 2009 at 4:52 PM

    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!!

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