7 replies to this topic

[hahn23]

Tapping and drumming in the lodgepole pine forest of Upper Beaver Meadows, this Three-toed Woodpecker female could be heard from 100 feet away. The male was not in sight, so this may be a juvenile from last summer's fledgling class. The link shows the GPS coordinates. I've photographed this species in the same spot four times this year. So, if I don't have the opportunity to guide you to the place, you can use the GPS data to find the prime area of the woods.




The 3-Toed WP doesn't stay still very often, or for very long. Most of my image captures have the bird actively seeking a meal under the pine bark.

[B-Jay]

It is so cool that you have been able to locate and photograph this rather rare species as often as you have. These are both great shots with the second one really showing the action of the bird's head moving so fast.

I have found that UBM is a great place to wander around to discover wildlife.

B-Jay

[hahn23]

B-Jay, on 13 October 2010 - 09:55 PM, said:

It is so cool that you have been able to locate and photograph this rather rare species as often as you have. These are both great shots with the second one really showing the action of the bird's head moving so fast.

I have found that UBM is a great place to wander around to discover wildlife.

B-Jay

Thanks, B-Jay! 1/250s is the shutter speed on the action shot. Didn't freeze the WP's jackhammer speed at all.

[soatley]

I like woodpeckers, just not on my house.

Sandy O

[Mark Zemmin]

Beautiful shots. I like the action shot.

Mark

[Larry]

Excellent shots.I like the action---something you don't see too often.

Will your three toed friend stay through the winter??

Nice job on the title for this photo!

Larry

Edited by Larry, 14 October 2010 - 09:23 AM.

[hahn23]

Larry, on 14 October 2010 - 09:22 AM, said:

Excellent shots.I like the action---something you don't see too often.

Will your three toed friend stay through the winter??

Nice job on the title for this photo!

Larry

Thanks, Larry, and all other commenters, for the kind comments.

For a change, I was trying to capture the woodpecker head movement for an online photo challenge. That challenge title is "Noise", which is not easy to show in a still photo. But, other than bird vocalizations and calls, the WP drumming and tapping is a predominant sound in the forests of RMNP. Hence, the upcoming contest drove the title selection and the motion capture.

The Three-toed Woodpecker, is a year-round resident of the montane coniferous forests in the Rockies and north into Canada and Alaska. This bird is rarely seen by most US residents. That's why birders from all over the country come to RMNP to see this species. And, of course, we are seeing an upswing in 3-toed WP population because of the number of dying lodgepole pines. It's the secondary infection of insect larvae which attract the 3T, as the pine bark beetle larvae (deep at the cambium layer) are not a primary source of food for this bird. Would be nice if the 3T WP was the solution to the pine bark beetle infestation.

Edited by hahn23, 14 October 2010 - 10:03 AM.

[Aaron]

Thanks for the photos and the info, Richard!

--Aaron