Sometimes when trying to photograph wildlife at various parks and preserves in Siouxland I swear they really work at trying to avoid me and my endeavors. A red-headed woodpecker a year or so ago would always land near me and make its call. And just as I raised my lens it would fly off, only to land nearby and start the process over again. I guess on some mornings I was cheap entertainment.
Watching wildlife feed and stalk its food sources is fascinating. And although some of these birds are the same species I have photographed many times before, they still give me a challenge in capturing their movements. Autofocus is great, but sometimes that muscle memory and manual focus is a needed skill. But with age and glasses, technology is still welcomed. And I am happy to utilize focus peaking when manually focusing. Most mirrorless camera bodies now incorporate that feature, which is great for crowded subject fields as well as shooting in low light situations.
Now if I could get that woodpecker to cooperate.
Jerry Mennenga
Sioux City, Iowa
lostinsiouxland 
I like the hide-and-seek photo. And they certainly have yellow legs; the naming committee got that one right. We spotted their cousins the Greater in South Carolina this February.
Thank you, Brad. Got to love extended families. Wonder if they visit one another?
I can definitely relate to your struggles – I am certain they do it on purpose!
If they can’t see you, guess they figure you can’t see them.