Pileated Woodpecker In Autumn

The Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) is the largest of the woodpecker species found in North America over a large range, measuring about 16.5... more

by Morris Finkelstein

Title

Pileated Woodpecker In Autumn

Artist

Morris Finkelstein

Medium

Photograph

Description

The Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) is the largest of the woodpecker species found in North America over a large range, measuring about 16.5 inches in length and about 10 ounces in weight. It has a long neck, prominent red crest, long bill, broad wings, and a long tail. Adult males have red plumage under their bill and their red crest extends down to the forehead, while female do not. Their call is very loud, as is their drumming. Four subspecies of Pileated Woodpeckers have been described. These woodpeckers prefer mature forests and parks that contain large hardwood trees. They forage for carpenter ants and beetle larvae by drilling rectangular holes in trees. They may also consume berries, fruits, and nuts.

This adult male Pileated Woodpecker climbing and foraging on a tree on an overcast autumn morning was photographed 12-12-2022 at the August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area, in St. Charles County, Missouri. I used a Nikon Z9 camera body and a Nikon 600mm f/4.0E FL ED VR telephoto lens to capture this image. Settings: 1/1600 sec, f/4.0, ISO 3200.

The August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area was acquired by the State of Missouri from the federal government in the late 1940's. This 7000-acre area was used during World War 2 for production and storage of TNT and DNT, and during the 1960's for the processing of Uranium ore. Subsequently, the large property was thoroughly decontaminated, and then used as a wildlife conservation area.

I am honored that my photograph was featured in the Fine Art America groups:
Nikon Full Frame Cameras,12-14-2022
USA Photographers Only, 12-15-2022
New FAA Uploads, 12-20-2022
10 Plus, 1-3-2023
Gentlemen Club Art Group, 1-6-2023
Your Very Best Photography, 1-21-2023
Midwest America Photography, 1-24-2023
Just Perfect, 2-11-2023
Birds In Focus, 4-13-2023
Wild Birds Of The World, 10-21-2023

KEYWORDS: pileated woodpecker in autumn, dryocopus pileatus, woodpecker, bird, avian, nature, natural, wild, wildlife, outdoors, wings, feathers, plumage, crest, bill, head, red, yellow, white, black, large, loud, conspicuous, territorial, woods, tree, branch, bark, perched, perching, climbing, foraging, looking, sunrise, morning, autumn, fall, midwest, midwestern, august a busch memorial conservation area, st. charles county, missouri, morris finkelstein, st. louis, missouri, photograph, digital, vertical, close up, portrait, nikon z9, photography

Uploaded

December 13th, 2022