That elusive flight shot

We discovered a Great Spotted Woodpecker, Dendrocopos major, nest recently. It wasn’t the obvious hole in the side of the tree which did it, it was the insistent noise from the chicks which made it blindingly obvious. Here’s the male bringing in food to the nest.

It’s an opportunity to get a Great Spotted Woodpecker flying shot. I’ve tried before. I’ve never been happy with any of them.

I’m getting closer, but the lighting is a problem. I’m well hidden behind camouflage and the bird isn’t influenced by my presence at all.

Maybe a different time of day will be better. I come back and try again:

Okay, better, but I’m still not happy with it.

I do like this one, though. So that’s something, after so many hours of ‘work’ sitting in the bushes.

Given how many trips this male has made to the nest, I think I know which one of us has had to really work.