Ivory-billed Woodpeckers Found in Florida Panhandle

[Brian Bailey]

I heard a rumour a couple of days ago that a story would soon break about Ivory-billed Woodpeckers being found in the Florida panhandle.  Well, the story is on the Toronto Star's website today:  Alive and Pecking?

Researchers from Auburn University and the University of Windsor have been gathering evidence for over a year following a sighting in may of 2005.  Here is a link to the Univerity of Windsor's project site:  The Search for the Ivory-billed Woodpecker

It's amazing that they have been able to keep it so quiet for so long!

BB

[Wulff]

Ive read a few threads about this elsewhere months ago. From what I gather there are many people are in both camps as to whether or not they are there. Myself I find it all interesting no matter the outcome but I would question the lack of photographic "evidence".

1. Visual encounters - Four members of our search team observed Ivory-billed Woodpeckers on fourteen different occasions.

14 different sightings and for something as important as this...no-ones been able to get a decent picture? I dont know, maybe its just me but if I were leading a project of this nature few people would ever venture into the area ( for any purpose, be it maintenance on equipment, retrieval of the same or just plai viewing) without good camera equipment.

Either way i dont know enough myself to comment one way or the other. I do find the sometimes heated debates interesting and as an "outsider" looking in the lack of "photos" despite numerous sighting is troublesome or for lackof better words.

Ammunition for detractors
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Zx14 vs hayabusa

[David Shilman]

I agree, Wulff.  These are the excerpts that concern me;

"Yet despite visiting the area regularly since last May and camping out there continuously for almost six months, the researchers from Windsor and from Auburn University in Alabama failed to photograph the magnificent bird."
(snip)
"He explained that the team members paddling along the Choctawhatchee instinctively grabbed for binoculars rather than cameras when they spotted a likely bird."

I really hope this is true, but come on, get out a camera!

David

[Napper]

hey guys

I hope that one of these birds found once and for all.

I am not an expert on this subject by any means but obtaining photo's or videos of a single or solitary bird in that style of countryside would be indeed difficult.

This past summer I spent the better part of two weeks trying to find and image a Pileated woodpecker(way up North). They were definitely in the general area  

judging by the diggings and the sounds that they make. I unfortunately could not grab an image. I had a similar issue with the Bald Eagle that frequents the

area (random and widspread).  On the home front I was able to get only two images of a bird that frequents my tree looking for prey on a random but nearly

daily basis after a year of trying.. Give it time, It will happen if only through sheer luck.   I have shot images from a canoe and a boat it is not that easy.

Napper
     :lol:

[Dr. John]

Here is a link to the original story that broke, including a video that shows what they believe is the ivory billed woodpecker.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/04/0428_050428_extinctwoodpecker.html

-John

[Kin Lau]

Shooting from a kayak or canoe is difficult. Doing so in a dark canopy is much more so. Trying to get a 1/2 decent shot with the kind of background is even more difficult.

In other words, trying to shoot a dark crow sized bird flying thru a dark forest from a boat is about the most challenging situation I can think of without throwing in extreme weather.

[David Shilman]

OK, but couldn't ONE GUY in six months have pulled out a camera instead of his bins?

"He explained that the team members paddling along the Choctawhatchee instinctively grabbed for binoculars rather than cameras when they spotted a likely bird."


David

[Wulff]

Shooting from a boat while difficult is far from undoable. For a "photographer" it may mean alot of trashed shots that arent sharp or are grainy due to high ISO and noise. When Im in mine I often have to get it out of its dry bag first. So while it make for some missed shots of opportunity I can still get images, nor is it *always* tucked away in its dry bag. As a matter of fact if your drifting with the current or wind it can make it easier getting closer to skittish birds. Some of my best King fisher shots have come from while in my canoe.

Do you really think theyd care if the shots were less than perfect? Again Im neither here nor there but I dont buy that excuse.
All shot from canoes or toons. You want to talk hard? Try shooting from a pontoon where both hands are on the oars and the cameras in a dry bag behind you.



This osprey I had about 3 seconds *warning* total to get the camera, get aligned and get a shot before it hit the water.

Good shot?
No but certainly a shot that can be taken of an exticnt bird no matter how skittsh and as I said and this is from experience. Getting close to skittish birds is alot easier while canoeing.

Honesty, simply ask yourself this question.
If *you* were part of the team trying to prove the existance of an extinct would *you* ever venture into the area without a decent camera around your neck?

I doubt it, your tlaking a million dollar shot no matter how graiiny, or less than perfect it might be. At the very least might you not hear "it" distinctive double knock? Or its call? Wouldnt you grab the camera?
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Medical Marijuana Doctor