A Confrontation

First, may I point out that these pictures have undergone some photo-editing jiggery-pokery.

The confrontation happened in the burnt oak that stands in the small clearing of Bicknor Wood. A Great Spotted Woodpecker, a male, was minding his own business at the top of the dead tree, occasionally pecking and making quiet calls. 

He suddenly tensed as a large shape swooped in and landed right beside him. The light was fading and at first, I thought it was a crow. I have not seen Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers in such close proximity before and was shocked by the difference in size.

So frequently the boss of the feeders, the Great Spot quickly capitulated and dropped to a lower branch while the Green crowed his dominance across the canopy. 

Although the Great Spotted Woodpecker had been intimidated from his high perch, he didn't flee completely. He dropped much lower in the tree and kept up a constant pecking until the Green Woodpecker flew off. Perhaps it was a bit of bravado? Perhaps as much for himself as anyone else?

The camera was set to overexpose (bracketed between +11/3 and +2) in the fading evening light and with the subjects silhouetted against a grey/white sky. ISO was set at 2000 to gasp as much light as possible and get a bit of colour without too much camera shake. Even so, the subjects were still quite dark and I have taken the liberty of brightening the shots with photo editing software.

I sent the photos to my chum, Phil Riches who brightened the images and managed to lose the blue cast whilst he was at it.