Author Topic: Levitating pileated woodpecker  (Read 945 times)

Randy Stout

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Levitating pileated woodpecker
« on: February 23, 2021, 17:24:33 »
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

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Re: Levitating pileated woodpecker
« Reply #1 on: February 23, 2021, 18:03:05 »
Like your image !

Wood picker, hard worker ! :D
Francis Devrainne

Randy Stout

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Re: Levitating pileated woodpecker
« Reply #2 on: February 23, 2021, 18:32:22 »
Thanks Francis:

He makes me smile!

Randy

Tom Hook

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Re: Levitating pileated woodpecker
« Reply #3 on: February 23, 2021, 18:53:09 »
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

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Re: Levitating pileated woodpecker
« Reply #4 on: February 23, 2021, 18:54:24 »
You captured this amazing moment, Randy!  Thank you for sharing!
"The eye is blind if the mind is absent." - Confucius

"Limitation is inspiration." - Akira

David H. Hartman

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Re: Levitating pileated woodpecker
« Reply #5 on: February 23, 2021, 19:07:37 »
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
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Bill De Jager

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Re: Levitating pileated woodpecker
« Reply #6 on: February 23, 2021, 20:27:03 »
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

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Re: Levitating pileated woodpecker
« Reply #7 on: February 23, 2021, 21:21:44 »
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

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Re: Levitating pileated woodpecker
« Reply #8 on: February 23, 2021, 22:51:40 »
Randy, Randy, Randy!
For a cover of a magazine!
Free your mind and your ass will follow. - George Clinton
Before I jump like monkey give me banana. - Fela Kuti
Confidence is what you have before you understand the problem. - Woody Allen

Hugh_3170

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Re: Levitating pileated woodpecker
« Reply #9 on: February 24, 2021, 09:21:48 »
+1

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