How I Captured This Iconic Pileated Woodpecker Shot
The chain of events that led to this particular shot actually resulted in a series of equally epic photos, each telling a piece of the story. Read on for my firsthand recollection of how these shots came together, with the actual images illustrating the moment! All photos of the pileated woodpeckers below were taken on August 8, 2023.
Normally, I go birdwatching with my good friend, Nick—my guide on nature walks and my go-to expert when it comes to spotting birds. On this particular day, however, I was on the trails alone. I found myself at Kleinstuck Nature Preserve in Kalamazoo, MI. This hidden gem in the city is a thriving hub for wildlife, home to everything from hawks and ducks to deer, foxes, and squirrels.
It was a beautiful evening, and I felt ambitious after work—eager to get outside with my camera and see what I could find. For reference, the main trail at Kleinstuck forms a large loop, with smaller paths branching off deeper into the forest. I usually stick to the loop since it runs closest to the water which is home to alot of wildlife activity. About a quarter of the way around the marsh, there’s a stone bench that offers a perfect vantage point—overlooking the water, surrounded by dense forest. I stopped at this section with the bench as I always do.
Kleinstuck Nature Preserve, Kalamazoo, MI
This is a photo from the area I was standing overlooking the marsh and center of the nature preserve. The images I’m about to take were taken in the trees that are positioned just out of frame to my left.
I decided to take a break, standing still to soak in the fresh air while keeping an eye out for any birds that might fly by—hoping for the perfect shot. This is where things get exciting.
As I stand there, my Canon 7D Mark II with a 70-200mm lens primed and ready, I suddenly hear a rustling noise from above. I turn and look up at a towering, bare tree to my left—and what I see stops me in my tracks.
This is what I looked up to find.
Perched on a thick branch directly above me stood two young male pileated woodpeckers. I could hardly believe my eyes.
They were clumsily stumbling around, their awkward movements causing the rustling noise that had caught my attention. I quickly sprang into action, camera in hand—completely unaware of just how EPIC the shots I was about to capture would be.
They started fanning their feathers out which is exactly what I wanted.
Both birds were restless, shifting and fidgeting on the branch. I knew that if I waited long enough, one of them would eventually take flight.
Capturing a bird in flight—especially a pileated woodpecker—is always my ultimate goal. If I miss the shot, I can’t help but feel a twinge of disappointment. So, I stayed locked in, ready for the moment.
Then, my patience pays off. One of the brothers LEAPS into the air! To my surprise, neither of them seems the least bit bothered by my presence.
He quickly shifts direction, gliding effortlessly in front of me and veering to my left.
What I witnessed and captured next was nothing short of incredible. INCOMING!!!
I was so fortunate the lighting was very smooth in this spot as the evening sun was going down. The tree canopy background helps bring the photo home in my opinion. So often when I’m shooting upwards, I end up with a boring blue sky as my background. I was able to position myself far enough away that the tree line was still in the frame.
My 70-200mm is a crisp lens and provides and amazing bokeh (background blue) with spots of the sky poking through the leaves.
You never know what you’re going to see. If you go someplace outdoors, things will happen unexpectedly and being able to create art for you from a moment I encountered truly makes me feel good.
I hope this gave you an idea of how I captured these photos!
~ Alex