Yesterday I spotted a male Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) on an exposed branch in a tree across a small field of cattails. In the past, I would not have even attempted to take a shot because of the distance, but I recently bought a Tamron 150-600mm zoom lens and suddenly this little bird was more or less within reach. This was my first day out with my new lens and it was fun testing out its capabilities (and I’ll do a few more postings showing what the lens was able to get in different situations).
Downy Woodpeckers seem to have an amazing amount of energy and are in almost constant motion. As I watched, the little woodpecker pecked his way to the end of the branch and then stopped. He seemed to be confused and stared straight ahead at first, Unsatisfied, he looked down and then up. Suddenly he lifted off almost straight up and I was fortunate to capture him with his wings extended.
Who knew that Downy Woodpeckers had such an impressive wingspan?
Liftoff
Looking ahead
Looking down
Looking up
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
I love these little guys. They visit our bird feeding station every day. They are very bonnie.
That new lens does a great job!
Yes, they are active little buggers. Nice shots.
Very nice shots, Mike! Beautiful bird, it reminds of the spotted woodpecker we have over here. Can I ask how far away from the bird you were when you took these shots? And how you like the Tamron lens in general?
Thanks. i think I was about 50-75 feet (16-22 meters) away when I took these shots. These images were cropped, but held up fairly well. This literally was the first day using the lens and I like it. The lens focuses faster than the Canon 70-300mm lens that I have been using and seems to focus pretty accurately. I’ll be posting a few more shots from the shoot, including some ducks walking on the ice and some geese in flight. My Canon has a crop sensor, so the 600mm end of the lens is the equivalent of a 960mm lens. One thing I would note is that this lens is a beast–the front element is 95mm across and the lens weighs 68.8 oz (1950g). So far I have been handholding the lens, though I suspect I would get even better results on a tripod.
Oh wow, that’s quite heavy to carry and to hold still when you shoot, but your pictures so far are great! Very nice details in the Blackbird photos. It’s true you might get even better results with a tripod, but then there’s one more thing to carry and -at least when it comes to bird photography- not enough time to set up (unless you’re in a hide, waiting for the birds to show). I look forward to see the posts! …oh, but ducks on ICE? it sounds like you got winter already? 🙂
All of these shots are lovely, but that first one is excellent. Such timing. 🙂
Thanks. I led with that first shot, which was the last one I took in the sequence, because it was so unusual. I have shot lots of images of Down Woodpeckers, but never caught one in flight like this.
Fantastic in-flight shot! I’ll be reading to see what else you say about this new lens…. I use a Canon 100-400 and seriously often wish I had the ‘reach’ of a 500 or 600! But then there’s the cost !?$$$
Thanks. I am a little embarrassed to say the lens was sort of an impulse buy. I had been looking at it and reading reviews for several months, but none of the camera stores had it in stock (it’s been backordered and people have waited for months and months for one). Earlier this month I was at a photo exposition and one of the vendors (Hunt’s Photo) had one, so I bought it. I am pretty happy with my initial results and think I’ll have a lot of fun with it this winter as I search for birds.
Enjoy! I look forward to your photos!
Stunning shots Mike. Love the extended wings and light motion blur… Isn’t it amazing what a new lens enables you to do? I have recently purchased the Canon 100-400 and absolutely love it. It is not too heavy for hand-holding. I still need to get used to panning steadily for birds in flight though. Don’t know how you can hand hold a 2kg lens plus camera!
I confess that my arms are a little sore from carrying around the lens and it’s hard to hold it overhead for long periods. You definitely understand the excitement of trying out a new lens. There are new skills to practice and new techniques to learn. Today, I was trying to follow birds in flight and the field of view is so narrow at 600mm that it’s tough sometimes to find the birds in the air. I usually have my tripod with with, but most of the time feel it constrains me when photographing birds.
Totally agree about the tripod! As for the narrow field of view, I get that at 400 so can imagine the challenge of 600! Off to some wetlands for a bit of practice, now😊 Chris
When it comes to wildlife shots, especially birds, a longer lens changes everything. What a thrill to get a shot you wouldn’t have even tried before!
I’m happy for you to get the opportunity to play around with the new lens though you didn’t seem like an impulse buyer especially after waiting so long. Have fun with it! Finding those birds in flight becomes a bit of an art form sometimes.
We will be expecting greater things from you now.
Great things? I’m start with modest beginnings and see what happens.
Congrats on the new lens, the pics are fantastic and now the Kingfisher better look out..:-)
Beautiful pictures with the new lens, I especially like the way it has softened the background which makes the woodpecker really stand out. Amelia
Thanks. I’m hoping that with a bit more practice to get even better results.