Every spring as the New England landscape comes to life, I go exploring outdoors in areas old and new to me. This particular day found me on the shores of a northern lake, where I set up my tripod and camera and waited for some interesting animal to enter the scene.

 

Eventually, a pileated woodpecker flew across the water and entered a wooded area not far from my position. Over the next several days I observed the timing and flight pattern of this beautiful bird, which evidently had a nest in the trees.

One evening, I entered the woods and began searching the thick canopy for the woodpecker’s nest cavity. Eventually, I found a small opening through the leaves and observed two juvenile pileateds waiting for their next meal delivery. Using a low shutter speed and high ISO setting, I was able handhold the 400mm lens and capture this scene undetected by my subjects—a silent experience at dusk, added to my outdoor memories.

 

Gear Used

Body: Canon 90D

Lens: Canon 100-400 @ 400MM

Shutter speed: 125

Aperture: F5.6

ISO: 1000