Emergency blip!

Two o'clock rolled around and I'd yet to pick up a camera...so, I grabbed coat, hat, scarf and camera and lurked around the yard just long enough to get off a few shots of chickadees and downy woodpeckers.  Then back inside to warm up, have some tea, and try to reduce the blown highlights in this shot.  Factually, there isn't much you can really do in this situation, especially since I've not been shooting in RAW.  So, it is what it is, blown highlights and all.  

For those unfamiliar with these birds, they are N. America's smallest woodpeckers, measuring in at a whopping 6 inches.  On the opposite end of the spectrum from the Pileated Woodpecker I blipped a few days ago.  They are widespread through the US and are quite tolerant of people.  I actually had to back up a few steps to shoot this as this one was within my 4.5 foot minumum focusing range.  

A slightly different version, converted to mono and cropped tightly - HERE on Flickr

Our spring-like weather from the last few days is now over and we've returned to high temps only in the 30's for the next few days. Good thing I cleaned the fireplace on Sunday!  

Thanks for the comments on my artsty-fartsy blip yesterday.  Once in awhile it's fun to just fiddle around (ie fartnarkle!)  As for the Super Tuesday results...well, no surprises I guess.  Still, I have concerns about what is ahead for us.

Cheers...