Acorn Woodpecker Holding Food on a San Gerardo Tree

An Acorn Woodpecker braces against a weathered trunk with a small yellow food item held in its bill, red crown, white face and glossy black back sharply outlined at San Gerardo de Dota valley in Costa Rica. The clown-like black-and-white face and red crown identify this social highland woodpecker, famous for storing acorns in communal granary trees. The exposure of 1/160 sec, f/5.6 and ISO 320 renders the stationary bird and fine plumage detail sharply against the softly separated background; the photograph was made in natural light without flash.