Acorn Woodpecker & Yellow Bellied Siskin

[Ely Teehankee]

One of the birds that I really enjoyed photographing in Costa Rica is the Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus). It would announce its arrival with a laugh like call that will certainly alert you. They would eat on the feeder if the morsels are small but if it is big they would fly off with it to eat it in privacy.



Canon EOS 1D Mark IV, Canon EF 300mm
f/2.8L IS USM with Canon Extender 2X II.
Gitzo GT3530LS tripod, Wimberley WH200 head. Manual exposure in available light.



1/800 sec., f/5.6, ISO 800




1/640 sec., f/5.6, ISO 800




1/800 sec., f/5.6, ISO 800




The Yellow-bellied Siskin (Carduelis xanthogastra) is a skittish little bird that is difficult to photograph. But having been able to do so you would see the distinct difference between the male and female.
1/320 sec., f/5.6, ISO 800 Female




1/500 sec., f/5.6, ISO 800 Female




1/500 sec., f/5.6, ISO 800 Female




1/1250 sec., f/5.6, ISO 800 Female




1/1250 sec., f/5.6, ISO 800 Male




1/1250 sec., f/5.6, ISO 800 Male

[Conrad Arellano]

Another stunning set. It felt like almost seing a live bird on my monitor. Great clarity of details in the first 3 pics. Well done Ely.

[Ely Teehankee]

May 28, 2012 18:10:12 GMT Conrad Arellano said:

Another stunning set. It felt like almost seing a live bird on my monitor. Great clarity of details in the first 3 pics. Well done Ely.

Thank you Conrad. These birds were between 5-7 meters where I was sitting, which would explain the clarity of details. I wish we can photograph birds this close more often.

[Ariel Matias]

Excellent pictures of my favorite Acorn Woodpecker! Clarity and exposure are superb!

[Ely Teehankee]

May 29, 2012 1:32:51 GMT Ariel Matias said:

Excellent pictures of my favorite Acorn Woodpecker! Clarity and exposure are superb!

Thank you Ariel. Being close to the bird help getting a better picture. Your choice of site certainly paid off in a very positive way.

[ka rene bajit]

super nice shots, ely. where else is birded? maybe we can try peru? let us see how much to get there..^_^

[Ely Teehankee]

Oct 26, 2012 1:22:32 GMT ka rene bajit said:

super nice shots, ely. where else is birded? maybe we can try peru? let us see how much to get there..^_^

Thank you Rene. It has always been a nice adventure for me to take pictures of birds especially those I have never seen before. I was in Bacolod last week and the Crimson Sunbirds were colorful. beautiful. You can see more of them here:

birdphotoph.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=photo&action=display&thread=8778