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Wryneck - Little Brown Woodpecker


Wryneck - Little Brown Woodpecker
Photo Information
Copyright: Nigel Deacon (Merlin) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 445 W: 267 N: 455] (1713)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2013-08-26
Categories: Birds
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/160 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2013-08-28 9:36
Viewed: 3210
Points: 22
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The Wryneck Jynx torquilla is a small member of the woodpecker family, but very different from its relatives in Europe. There are only two species in the genus, and both have a similar plumage of complex patterns of browns and greys that often make them extremely difficult to see - even at close quarters. Lacking the strong bill of its relatives, it nests in natural holes or holes excavated by other species and gathers most of its food on the ground. The vast majority of its diet is ants, which are collected by probing into the nests and extracting them with its long sticky tongue, which extends to around two thirds of the bird's body length.

In the UK, this species was formerly widespread in the southern part of the country but is now sadly extinct as a regular breeding bird. Each year small numbers continue to pass through the country on migration, giving us a rare and brief opportunity to see these interesting little birds. I was lucky enough to meet this one earlier this week, and it was happy to feed on the ground within 5-6 metres of me, even as I set up the camera on the tripod (the light was terrible).

This was the very first opportunity I have had to meet this bird at close quarters, and fortunately I was able to crystallize the memory and share it thanks to good fortune and a cooperative subject ;-)

As far as I can tell, this is the first posting of this species on TN since 2008 - which must say something?
kinglove, anel, marius-secan, drchoneydew, imageme has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello Nigel,
Another beautiful image captured with fine details and taken from an interesting PoV.
Regards,
Joy

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 6595 W: 89 N: 15659] (65489)
  • [2013-08-28 10:06]

Hi Nigel,spectacular capture of this rare member of the woodpeckers family,great use of the flahs and exposure to see the best details in this difficult light and location,another masterpiece in your gallery of wonders,i like it! Have a nice evening and thanks,Luciano

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121] (49139)
  • [2013-08-28 10:22]

Hello Nigel,
Great photo of this Wryneck, a bird I've only seen one time in my life for just a second. Superb sharpness, details and a wonderful pose with a beautiful catchlight in the eye. Splendid colours, the flash did its work very well.
Regards,
Peter

Ciao Nigel great capture of lovely bird in nice pose fine details and splendid sharpness bravo ciso Silvio

Hello Nigel
真是漂亮的鳥 照的清晰
它的花紋非常美麗 神情也很自然
構圖美麗 背景漂亮
謝謝分享
STONE

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 3053 W: 3 N: 8715] (40574)
  • [2013-08-29 5:16]

Hello Nigel,
I understand well that you have been lucky and happy to have taken a shot of this rather rare species..I had the same encounter earlier in the year.
Interesting point of view from beneath showing the special patterns of his plumage.
Well seen too in his natural surroundings.
Well done!
Anne

Hello Nigel,
You catch a very rare visitor in my region...A love bird which I did not know that she is a small member of the woodpecker family.
Woodpeckers are my favorites birds....
Very nice details, perfect colors and excellent focus.
Marius.

oh Nigel, he is ADORABLE!!! Never EVER have seen one of these in the wild, or EVER! Your presentation here is DIVINE! :) Purest of detail and POV excellent TFS!!!!

Hello Nigel! A wonderful portrait of a new bird for me. He posed very nicely for you, and you took wonderful advantage! Great view of all his feathers, and unusually, both feet. You've even captured the twinkle in his eye. Delightful! Well done! Linda

Hi Nigel, Lovely bird with nice composition along with great light which brings out the clarity and details. Nice natural colours with great DOF. Thank for correcting the ID of the Gull. Best regards
Anna

  • Great 
  • tuslaw Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2754 W: 282 N: 4931] (19883)
  • [2014-11-29 19:25]

Hello Nigel,
I must admit this is a new species for me, and one that I would never have guessed to be a type of woodpecker just from it's appearance. The beak doesn't resemble that of a woodpecker and the grizzled earth toned colored plumage is quite unusual also.
Truly a beautiful specimen and photographed perfectly by your lens. Thank you for presenting this interesting bird to us.
Ron

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