A quick call from Mia pulled my attention to the driftwood perch near my feeders. A Red-bellied Woodpecker fledgling had landed there, and an adult was already coming in to feed it.
Red-bellied Woodpecker Fledgling on a Backyard Perch
My friend Mia McPherson, a bird photographer from Utah, was visiting Arkansas and Oklahoma. After she had shared some of her favorite Utah locations with me, I wanted to show her a few of my favorite places here.
We also spent time photographing birds in my yard in Lavaca, Arkansas. The bird activity around the feeders can be steady, so we worked on setting up a natural perch.
Mia and I found a piece of driftwood near the Arkansas River and placed it near the feeders. That perch gave the birds a cleaner landing spot and added a natural look to the scene.
The young woodpecker had the soft gray look of a fledgling, with the barred wing pattern already showing. The adult leaned around the perch and fed it. Mia identified the adult as the male parent.
This happened on June 12, 2023, at 4:11 p.m. It felt like a classic summer yard moment, with a young bird still depending on a parent.
Photographing the Woodpecker Feeding Moment from My Deck
Mia set up her camera on my deck, and I worked from the same general vantage point. The driftwood perch helped keep the scene clean and focused on the interaction.
The adult and fledgling lined up along the right side of the perch. I framed the moment tight enough to show the feeding behavior, but I left room for the wood texture to help tell the story.
The light gave me enough speed to freeze the action. I was at 500 mm, which gave me the reach I needed from the deck.
Camera settings:
- Camera: Canon EOS R7
- Lens: Canon RF 100-500 mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
- Location: Lavaca, Arkansas
- Date and time: June 12, 2023, 4:11 p.m.
- Aperture: f/8
- Shutter speed: 1/1250
- ISO: 3200, Auto
- Exposure compensation: +0.3
- Focal length: 500 mm
Why This Arkansas Fledgling Encounter Stands Out
A good perch helps, but the bird still has to choose it. That is what made this moment fun.
Mia spotted the fledgling first, and I was glad she did. Her quick alert gave me the chance to photograph a short feeding behavior that would have been easy to miss.
This photo reminds me why I enjoy working close to home. Strong wildlife moments can happen in a yard when I slow down and watch what arrives.
Steve, thanks so much for the pleasures of seeing the birds and wilife of Arkansas, Oklahoma,and your amazing yard! I’m learning a lot from you and about the birds and critters here. Creating magic and great memories!