Acorn Woodpecker

[GatoMoteado]

This beautiful bird was photographed from the patio at Miriam's Soda in San Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica.
Even on cloudy days, it's a challenge for me to get the white forehead of this bird to not get so over-exposed that all the detail gets blown out. Detail is often unrecoverable even when I try to dodge it in with Photoshop. If you under-expose you can save the forehead but often the detail in the black feathers gets completely blown. I haven't found the perfect compromise yet, though I am pretty happy with this shot.

nikon D850 and nikkor 300mm f/4 PF

[soothsayer]

1. That's really pretty

When you zoom in, the moss and details on the feathers are really neat.

That eye!

Nice.

[GatoMoteado]

3. thank you!

i had the help of a great camera and a great piece of glass

[soothsayer]

5. Framing is really nice though

It’s a beauty

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. It looks great to me, my dear GatoMoteado, but I understand all too well your feelings!

Trying to get everything to work together is really frustrating sometimes.

It's a gorgeous photo, make no mistake!

[GatoMoteado]

4. it's why i'm not making the big bucks!

[SheltieLover]

6. Lovely!

[Gato Moteado]

8. thank you!

[SheltieLover]

10. Yw!

[Callalily]

7. That's a really nice photo.

[Gato Moteado]

9. thank you!