A Downy Woodpecker can turn a quiet yard into a show. This one caught my eye while hanging upside down on a piece of driftwood I use as a suet feeder.
I photographed it from my deck in Lavaca, Arkansas. The pose showed the balance and agility these small woodpeckers use so well.
Downy Woodpecker Upside Down on a Driftwood Feeder
This Downy Woodpecker had no trouble working the feeder from an awkward angle. It clung to the driftwood and reached for the suet while hanging headfirst.
That upside-down posture is one reason I enjoy watching these birds. They move with quick, precise motions. Their feet and stiff tail feathers help them brace against wood while feeding.
Downy Woodpeckers are small black-and-white birds. Males have a tiny red patch on the back of the head, but I did not rely on that detail for this photo.
They are also regular visitors to backyard feeders. Suet gives them a high-energy food source, especially when insects are harder to find.
I have photographed Downy Woodpeckers in other feeding moments too, including this post, Downy Woodpecker With Beetle.
Watching a Backyard Woodpecker Work for Suet
The feeder in this photo is a piece of driftwood I set up for suet. I liked the natural look of the wood, and it gave the bird a clean place to perch and feed.
I waited on my deck for the Downy Woodpeckers to find it. Once they started using the feeder, I had a good view without needing to move around much.
Their behavior stayed lively. Downy Woodpeckers often drum on resonant surfaces, and they also inspect wood as they move through a feeding area.
This bird stayed focused on the suet. The upside-down pose made the scene more interesting than a standard feeder photo.
Photographing the Scene From My Deck
I mounted my camera and lens on a tripod for this shot. I often like the freedom of handholding, but an 800 mm lens needs support for sharp images.
The tripod also helped me stay ready. I could frame the driftwood and wait for the bird to move into a good position.
The light was early in the morning. I photographed the scene on June 25, 2023, at 7:07 a.m. in Lavaca, Arkansas.
Camera settings:
- Camera: Canon EOS R5
- Lens: Canon RF 800 mm F11
- Exposure mode: Manual
- Aperture: f/11
- Shutter speed: 1/250
- ISO: 5000, Auto
- Exposure compensation: +0.7
- Focal length: 800 mm
This was a simple backyard moment, but it showed why I keep watching the familiar places close to home. A small woodpecker on a suet feeder can still give me a fresh photograph.