Levitating pileated woodpecker

[Randy Stout]

This male pileated was imaged several days ago.  He was making some new holes, and hopping back and forth between them.  Just happened to catch him during a hop.

D500 500PF. f/6.3. 1/1250s ISO 3200

[rosko]

Like your image !

Wood picker, hard worker !

[Randy Stout]

Thanks Francis:

He makes me smile!

Randy

[Tom Hook]

Hard bird to photograph and you nailed it. the levitation is icing on the cake!

Also am glad to see the 500 PF being used so well.

[Akira]

You captured this amazing moment, Randy!  Thank you for sharing!

[David H. Hartman]

Does anyone wonder why woodpeckers have a spring loaded beak to protect their brains? Their beak is like a jackhammer on the head of a small bird. I'm mostly amused by the noise they make.

Dave

[Bill De Jager]

Great shot, Randy!

That lens is on my list to get one of these days.  I wasn't able to afford it during the recent sale.

[Randy Stout]

Thanks everyone for the comments.

Woodpeckers can generate up to 1000 Gs of force when hammering away, an amazing number.  In my line of work it is hard to imagine that they don't suffer retinal detachments, but nature has adapted to allow it.

re: 500 PF.  This lens has changed my photography more than any other single lens.  I carry it places that I wouldn't take my reg. 500 or 600/4,  the image quality is excellent , fast focusing.  I still use the 600 from my boat for loon photography and some select other things, but my Gitzo sits in the closet now because I am able to do most of my BIF hand held with the 500 PF. 

Cheers

Randy

[Jakov Minić]

Randy, Randy, Randy!
For a cover of a magazine!

[Hugh_3170]

+1

Randy, Randy, Randy!
For a cover of a magazine!