Andean Flicker

I was photographing Glacier Finches and Viscashas (large alpine chinchillas) at 14,500 feet when this raucous bird flew-in from the overhead slopes and disappeared behind a rocky outcropping. Not expecting to find a woodpecker in the the treeless surrounds, I gave chase, hoping for a better look at the still-unidentified individual. Turning the corner, I found this Andean behemoth returning my gaze from this boulder. He stayed still just long enough for me to capture a few frames before continuing across the Antiplano (Andean Plateau).

Lauca National Park, Arica and Parinacota, Chile, 12/19/21
Canon 600mm f/4 IS II + 1.4x III on EOS R5
1/1000 at f/5.6, ISO 1600