Like most Downy Woodpeckers, this little male woodpecker started spiraling his way up the tree as soon as he landed on it. Then to my surprise, he worked his way back down the tree and stopped at eye level, where he stayed long enough for me to take a number of shots and even make a few adjustments in between the shots.
I really like Downy Woodpeckers (Picoides pubescens). Their high energy and acrobatic activities are a constant source of interest for me as I watch them at work in the trees and in the cattails. I’ve usually had a tough time, though, getting an uncluttered shot of a Downy Woodpecker.
I took this shot in an area where there were mostly young trees, which made it easier for me to isolate the woodpecker as he moved about and to slowly move closer and fill the frame with the little bird. The area was shaded, so I ended up using my pop-up flash to add a little fill light. I opened up the aperture as wide as I could, which had the effect of blurring out the background.
I ended up with a portrait-like shot of the Downy Woodpecker that I really like. Click on the image to see it in higher resolution.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved
Mike Powell 
It’s great when you and the subject seem to be working toward the same end. It can really leave you with a sense of connection to the wildlife you see. I think this shot is worthy of any bird ID guide that I’ve seen.
[…] Like most Downy Woodpeckers, this little male woodpecker started spiraling his way up the tree as soon as he landed on it. Then to my surprise, he worked his way back down the tree and stopped at e… […]
It looks like the wildlife really know you by name now and are anxious for their turn to pose.
I like the way that you think. Thanks.
Isn’t it great when they accept your proximity and go about their business, letting you get this up-close and personal?! Another advantage of the flash is the sharp highlight in his bright little eye. A very, very nice portrait!
A lot of the serious bird photographers I see use off-camera flash with Better Beamer attachments to extend the flash’s reach. For them, from what I’ve read, the flash helps to reveal the colors and to give the catchlight in the eye. (Of course, with their mega-size lenses, they might have had trouble capturing an image of this little bird–he probably was well inside the minimum focusing distance of those lenses.
Great shot, Mike. They are only of my favorites, too.
Thanks, Sue. They are familiar and friendly and keep us company all winter.