Pileated Woodpecker In The North Woods Of Minnesota

Written By Ray Hennessy
 

Photographer: Emma Price

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1/100 • f/2.8 • ISO 2000 • Canon R3 • 300mm • Canon EF 300mm f/2.8 L IS II USM

A few winters back, some friends and I took a birding and photography road trip from New Jersey to Minnesota. At times, we found ourselves near Superior National Forest, not far from the Canadian border. While one of us drove along the snowy roads, the rest looked out the open car windows with thermal optics that detect heat. This was the most vast and deserted area we encountered during the trip. It was cold, still, and dark from the early morning light and heavy clouds. One morning, I was scanning and spotted a small heat signature. It turned out to be this guy. We took some shots right from the car and then kept going. I think this image, with its cool tones, snow on the trees, and the subject small in the frame, gives a bit of a sense of what it was like there that morning.

 
Ray Hennessy

Starting in 2007 my fascination with nature photography began.  In the years since, wildlife photography with a focus on birds has gone from a very passionate hobby of mine to become my career. I spend much of my free time in natural areas searching for birds and any other wildlife that comes along. I concentrate on using creative natural lighting and interesting compositions to capture unique images of common and rare wildlife. My favorite style is a more scenic photo that includes some of the habitat wildlife lives in. I also enjoy passing along the knowledge and experience that I have gathered over the years to other photographers who are eager to learn.

www.rayhennessy.com
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