Clinging effortlessly to the bark, this male Great Spotted Woodpecker surveys his arboreal realm. His powerful beak, chisel-like in form, is not only a tool for foraging beneath bark—but a drumstick for territorial announcements.
With each resonant knock, he communicates to rivals and potential mates alike: this tree, this patch of forest, is already spoken for. The scarlet nape marks him as a male, while his black and white plumage ensures he remains hidden in plain sight among the winter branches.
Dendrocopos major
Shot with:
Canon EOS 6D + Sigma 150-600mm f/5.0-6.3
600mm | 1/4000 | f/6.3 | ISO5000