Red Headed Woodpecker In Autumn #2

The Red-Headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus), a member of the family Picidae, is distinctive in its full red head, solid black and white,... more

by Morris Finkelstein

Title

Red Headed Woodpecker In Autumn #2

Artist

Morris Finkelstein

Medium

Photograph

Description

The Red-Headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus), a member of the family Picidae, is distinctive in its full red head, solid black and white, and big white wing patches. It is found mostly in the Midwest and in the east, in open woods, orchards, and in open country, usually where acorns, wild nuts, and flying insects are plentiful. While it is strikingly colorful, it is relatively quiet and inconspicuous in its habitat. It is often seen on branches and small snags from which it flies out to catch insects in the air. The Red-Headed Woodpecker measures about 9.25 inches in length and about 2.5 ounces in weight.

This solitary immature Red-Headed Woodpecker rapidly took off from the top of a dead tree while foraging at the Jasper- Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area in northwestern Indiana midday on 12-7-2023. I used a Nikon Z9 camera body and a Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S telephoto lens to capture this image. Settings: 1/3200 sec, f/7.1, ISO 2000. This image was the second frame of three captured as it took off. This site is a state-owned property (8,179-acres) that borders privately-owned agricultural lands comprising a combined 30,000-acre Important Birding Area supporting large numbers of Sandhill Cranes during their southward fall migration.

I am honored that my photograph was featured in the Fine Art America groups:
Real Animal Photographs, 12-27-2023
USA Photographers Only, 12-31-2023
New FAA Uploads, 1-2-2024
Gentlemen Club Art Group, 1-5-2024
Your Very Best Photography, 1-7-2024
Midwest America Photography, 1-8-2024
Wild Birds Of The World, 1-9-2024
Wonder Of Wings, 1-10-2024

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Uploaded

December 27th, 2023