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We interrupt normal transmission to announce........
........ that Woolybill1 has not turned into a twitcher by virtue of posting these photos, just as he hasn't turned into a flower photographer simply by virtue of posting the odd pic of a something-or-other from the hedgerow. However, there are times when a man's gotta do (etc. etc. etc.)
So - yesterday afternoon before the rains returned we went for a short walk during which MrsW photographed a plastic crate that I found for her in return for her finding a dog-rose and some bramble flowers for me (whoops!) Back in Woolybill Towers, while I was combining a late-afternoon review of my photos with a cursory review of the epz gallery, the weather outside grew darker and darker; I must have been dozing at the keyboard (what? - moi?) when I heard Herself expostulate about something or other in the garden. Looking out of the kitchen window I saw this little beauty raiding the bird feeder. I saw it better with my glasses on, and better still through binoculars when I could find them; then I had time to clomp up the stairs, find a camera, select a lens, insert a CF card (into the camera, not the lens), clomp back downstairs, make a cuppa, station myself at the window, change the ISO setting from "Nearly Daylight" to "Nearly Dark" and take 20 shots or so before the woodpecker was distracted by a car returning next door and flew off.
(Actually I made up the bit about the cuppa for Andy's (Vasectomy1's) benefit).
In the 18+ years that we've lived here we have never before seen a woodpecker in our garden. I'm not so sure that I've ever seen one at all. Moira says that Mike Eccles, who photographs birds through his study window, has much cleaner windows than we do.
Cropped and levels adjusted, that's all.
Version 1: 300mm, 1/80th sec. @ f5.6;
Version 2: 300mm, 1/50th sec. @ f5.6; both ISO 400.
Normal transmission will be resumed tomorrow 
| Title: | Free Feast |
| Username: | 
woolybill1 |
| Uploaded: | 25 Jun 2008 - 8:55 AM |
| Camera: | Nikon D70  Check out Nikon Nation! |
| Lens: | Nikkor 70-300 VR  Check out Nikon Nation! |
| Recording media: | RAW (digital) |
| Tags: | Unexpected visitor, Wildlife / nature |
| Votes: | 69 |
 | Variant - Tests |
Comments
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, well not always, looking at this we would never have known the drama in Woolybill mansion, the clumping up and down stairs making of cups of tea etc.
Nice capture when the dust settled Bill, well spotted by Moira, did the poor bird manage to get at the nuts? Will he come back for another episode and cause as much cafuffle?
Dougie
Dougie, he very nearly emptied the feeder and I think there are bits of the wire mesh missing now...!
Moira
Gee Wizz I am so jealous, we just hear them in the woods and I have only ever actually seen one on a tree in Hexham once in the 30+ years we have lived here. I wonder if he is just young and can not tell a nut holder from an old tree!!
Keep up this photography Bill I am really enjoying it.
Mavis
2 super shots Bill, excellent detail in both,
Fred.
Great to get one of these in your garden Bill, well done on grasping the opportunity, love the way you've caught his alertness in no2, he's heard something, fine images, Adrian
I've been there with the dirty windows before Bill. Housework is a needs led activity, and so now you see the need to clean the windows.......doesn't photography bring a wonderful meaning to housework!!!
Great shots, can't believe how lucky you were that he WAITED so long for you!!
Helen
Hi Bill. I am pleased to tell you the deal went very well and I now have the lens, if I can do as well as you have here I will be a very happy man,
Sam
PS The forecast for Sunday is for rain and sunny spells, it might be best to decide on the day whether you want to make the journey.
Moira has my number to ring me with your decision,
regards, Sam
Definitely a red letter (or woodpecker) day. In Moira's place I would not have told the significant other, but thrust the baby into his arms and pushed my way past with my long lens...
Lovely shot btw.
Lucy
Firstly I must state that I bought my camera to get shots of wildlife and now the only thing wild is me ...wild at the candid's branching out and getting "my " wildlife shots.
IT'S NOT FAIR !!!!
Enviously superb...and a great commentary...in fact I thought it was Vasectomy1 at one stage.But I bet the tea was made straight after,with feet up and job well done look.
Keith
A man of many talents Bill. I had a bash at this bird photography,but made a pigs ear of it (hmmm--a little detail pic there !!) I like its red ''cap''.And the colouring and markings of ''Woody''.The nuts bring back memories, as they were a feature of the first image that ''put me on'' to you, about a year ago !!!!! Beer was a feature too !!!!
Never looked back since Bill !!!
Mick.
These are two wonderful captures Bill.
I love the write-up about this...wish I could click for that,......
Hilary
smashing bill one of my favorite birds along with the wife you know! hardly see her dangling upside down attached to a bird feeder but it does conjure up a rather bizarre image. you did really well to capture this off the cuff. my recent exploits tell me that it ain't easy. the dark stormy light really make the colours pop. terrific effort.
gerry
Oh, my torso is still hurting because of the laughing fits when reading your write up Bill! A great story!
Well... this woody sure wanted his pic taken! And you did so well.
great shots,
Johanna
Enjoyed the description, and enjoyed the images, too. Great detail lovley and sharp.
Leigh
Two fine wildlife shots Bill, I've heard that Mr Lifesnapper likes to take shots of birds from his front window too, but not the feathered variety! lol
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