Woodpeckers! (pics included)

[buzzsaw]

These birds also needed their own thread...

[buzzsaw]

Is this a juvenile??

[buzzsaw]

Ivory billed, Just kidding... A Piliated WP this winter in the backyard.

[Tom Wilson]

I have had these things come within 15 feet of me, and I have never had one anywhere around me when I have had a camera. Way to go man!

[buzzsaw]

They are absolutely the spookiest bird. By that I mean you make a noise and bye bye birdie. Unfortunately this was taken through a glass window on a gray winter day.

[The_Duckslayer]

Having cedar siding on my house they are NOT one of my favorite birds! I have about a dozen holes to fix before I can stain again. I have heard that there is stuff to mix with the stain that will keep them off. Any suggestions? Thanks. Take care and N Joy the Hunt././Jimbo

[buzzsaw]

I have cedar siding as well and have only had one Hairy WP punch a quarter sized hole in the wood... of course thats a problem for us guys with cedar siding. I patched it up with peanut butter suet.

[toughguy]

Piliateds Rock!! They absolutely destroy trees looking for their meals. I've seen them do so while I was deer hunting. It's like they have an axe attached to their heads. It's good entertainment when you haven't seen a deer all day. That beeing said I have vinal siding

[Tom Wilson]

Peanut Butter Suet--absolutely the best thing to keep them away.

You know--that might need a sarcasm label? Nah!

[Tom Wilson]

Here's a couple from the three species that visit my yard. These were all taken last winter.

Here's a female Downy

Here's a male Hairy

and finally a Male red Bellied

[buzzsaw]

Here is a Downy WP from today, he stuck around quite a bit as the weather ranged from -5 to 10 above... neeeded the fat energy from the Suet!

[Tom Wilson]

Buzz,

You are turning into a photographic Monster. I'm glad to see that you are truly enjoying your new camera, and taking some really nice photos to boot. I've got vacation starting Thursday through the 3rd--drop me a line here, maybe we could get out and do some shooting. I'm gonna be going down to wabasha to photograph eagles at least 2-3 time during that week. (or anyone else interested)

Tom W

[buzzsaw]

Thanks Tom! I have always liked photography but never got serious as far as investing the money for good equipment. Speaking of that I just purchased (on behalf of my wife) my B'day present about a week early. A Tamron SP AF 200-500mm F5-6.3 zoom lens with a 1.4 teleconverter. The combination of these two will get me out to like 1,050 yards I think??

I'd like to head down to Wabasha with you! I'm also getting together with Bill (Hobbydog) in the near future. Maybe he'd like to go as well??

Mike

[Dbl]

Here is quick and crude shot from yesterday.

[buzzsaw]

we have a busy lady feeding on our suet out back, here she is. (the males have what some call a moustache by their mouth area).

You should see these images all blown up!

[buzzsaw]

I had to pull up the picture I took yesterday to see if it was the male and it was, not a good pic, but all I got before HE bolted.

[bullyfish]

Hey Buzzsaw,

Let me know how you like that new Tamron lens. I have been looking at the Sigma 50-500mm. I'm curious to know how that one you got works out.

Great pictures!

[buzzsaw]

Bully, I'll tell you what... for just under a grand it's a super deal! I personally can't JUSTIFY spending 5K - 7k on a Nikon prime zoom that can get me out as far so I went with the 200-500mm Tamron and if I need to throw on the 1.4x teleconverter I can do that as well... I only use that in good lighting situations.

I originally had the Sigma 100-300mm lens and returned it right away as I knew it didn't have close to the reach I wanted/needed... I also have two Nikon lenses that are working out well, the 70-210mm and the 18-55mm for closeups and family type pictures. Let me know what you decide.

P.S. those pictures I posted of the Piliated were hand held through my kitchen window wide open at 500mm....I imagine they would look better on a tri-pod outdoors.

Mike

[bullyfish]

I agree, the Sigma makes a 50-500 and a 170-500. I have hadmy eye on both of them. Cant decide which one to go with. Most reviews I see give them a pretty good rating.

I have a 75-300 and it just doesnt get out there far enough and with lens like these it's hard to justify spending the big bucks for a prime lens.

Like the guy at the camera store told me the other day, you can never have a big enough lens or a big enough camera bag!

Hope you like your new lens and I'll let you know what I get.

Glen

[Dbl]

The Sigma 50-500 or as most call it the "Bigma" is a good birding lense. The only complaint you seem to hear about it is that the size and weight can be a bit much if you carry the thing around. On a tripod that should not be much of an issue.

[bullyfish]

Dbl, thanks for the info. The more I look at them the more I lean towards that lens. It seems like a pretty good lens.

[buzzsaw]

Bully,

You can go to Google and do a search and research what has been written. There are so many helpful links you'll stumble across.

[jonny_redhorse]

Ran across this guy early this morning.....I think it's a "hairy"....not positive....bird's about 40'up an old popple,could hear it "tatting" for half a mile...lol!...... jonny

[WCS]

Red Bellied Woodpecker visiting the suet feeder.