Red-bellied Woodpecker

This is one of my favorite images of a red-bellied woodpecker.  I had set up a branch directly across from the kitchen window to film birds landing on it before going to the feeder.  Red-bellies are pretty shy birds, however, and he didn't even like me standing at the window watching when he came around.  So, he would always peek to see if I was in the window before going to the feeder.  Notice how setting up the branch against a distant background creates a pleasing blur and directs attention directly to the subject.  I'm not saying it is always possible, but that is the photographic goal.  It is also important to try to get a catchlight in the eye of the subject which makes them look more alive.