Great Spotted Woodpecker

There’s a Great Spotted Woodpecker in the tree in front of me. It knows I’m here because it’s keeping to the other side. It sneaks a cheeky glimpse of me and then retreats to the safety of the other side of the branch.

Eventually it comes closer.

Great Spotted Woodpecker - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

I get asked a lot what lens I use. I feel like the chef who gets asked by a satisfied diner what pans he uses.

Great Spotted Woodpecker - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

What matters is fieldcraft: camouflage, patience and stealth.

Great Spotted Woodpecker - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

In comparison the lens really doesn’t matter.

Here are some of my other encounters with this wonderful bird:

Spotted! A brief walk in the woods

The Second Ladybird Book of British Birds #12 – The Great Spotted Woodpecker

Eyelids like seat belts

Pecking Wood

Great Spotted Woodpecker

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