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Posted by Jay Paredes on 14:51:23 06/07/10
In Reply to: Red-headed Woodpecker @ Corbett: distance?! posted by Paul
Hi Paul,
The distance from the west side of Seminole Pratt Whitney Road and the tree is about 75 feet on a straight line. However that may not be a good view for photography because a number of shrubs and trees along the side of the road can block your view. To get a better view for photography, most of us walk down a small trail-like opening that is almost directly west of 99th Ct. This brings you down (lower) and just south of the tree (maybe 100 ft away). From there you have a less restricted view of the tree, but because you are lower it is a steeper angle, so it does pay to stand back a bit away from the tree with a telephoto lens, to keep the viewing angle from becomming too steep. The woodpeckers do not seem at all threatened by photographers, but above their nest cavity is a larger cavity that is home to a pair of Wood Ducks and they are very skittish, so there's another good reason to keep your distance.
I believe the main reason that photographers approach the tree is that there is a smaller tree behind the nest tree where the woodpeckers store their food. When the woodpeckers perch there it is often a better angle, better light, and they stay for a longer period of time. It is difficult to approach the food tree without getting very close to the nest tree.
If you simply want to observe these birds the best place to stand is probably on the east side of Seminole Pratt Whitney Road and the birds often fly right over when they go to hunt for insects. However, the house there has several large dogs and they make a lot of noise that can down right seem scary to pedestrians. Which is why most observers eventually move to the west side then down the trail to avoid the barking dogs.
It is a neat little area, but caution and respect should be balanced with observation and getting the shot.
To see what the location looks like from the street, if you've never been there; you can look it up on Google Maps and zoom down to street view.
Thanks,
Jay
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