Woodpeckers

One thing I have found the most challenging about taking photographs of birds is the fact that they are never still for a moment. I have been trying since I started my blog to get some decent pictures of Woodpeckers, Downey and Hairy Woodpeckers I think are the hardest to get. These two shots I managed to get in the UVIC Gardens. I've compared these two shots with others I've tried to get in the past....I've improved in clarity, but still have to work in the quality I think. My son Corey was watching National Geographic the other night and they had a special feature on woodpeckers all around the world. One interesting fact I learned was how the Woodpecker protects their delicate brains from the intense impact when they are drilling for bugs and burrowing into trees to make nests. Their tongues actually contract and circumference their brain to cushion the impact!!! Impressive I think so....I had always wondered how they could drill without knocking themselves out cold. Now I know why....

British Columbia's Beautiful Birds ~ Pilated Woodpecker

On Sunday I went for my favorite walk.....I love walking through UVIC's Gardens it's so nice. Although I was expecting to see exciting things I wasn't expecting this!! I heard a Knock Knocking sounds telling me we had a visitor here. I was thinking Oh a Hairy Woodpecker or perhaps a Downy Woodpecker...NO to my great surprise it was a Pilated Woodpecker our larges Woodpecker on the Island. Unfortunately everyone the great morning light was already past...so these pictures had to have large modifications with exposer because of the bright sun light. Plus my angles are something to be desired. I'm happy with these shots...but the action shot in the middle is still a wee bit blurry....but what can ya do....Woodpeckers are not known to stay still while they peck for grubs and bugs are they. LOL I think at one point I asked to stay still for a minute please...It did stop and look right at me...but turned quickly to finish what it was looking for...I laughed out loud when I saw that it was listening to me talking to myself. I was extremely amused.

In this last shot the Woodpecker suddenly turned it's head as if being called and flew away. The action was very noticable it took me by surprise.

Pileated Woodpecker 2

Pileated Woodpecker

Downy Weedpecker

Downy Woodpecker