Monday, April 29, 2013

Woodpecker Week

I'm living in a Woodpecker Wonderland!

Sunday morning I was treated to a Pileated Woodpecker 'fly-by'.

And I spied this shy Red-breasted Sapsucker tapping away in a Big Leaf Maple.  This is a great photo if I do say so myself!  I was 30 yards away and the zoom is so clear that even the eye of the bird has detail. 

I've 'caged' the suet to make it so the Pigs Starlings don't eat it.
The Flickers now have to work hard to get at it, but if they stretch, they can.

I think this female Red-shafted Flicker looks as though she's posing for the camera. 

She's a pretty bird with polka dots on her chest and stripes on her back.

I've finally figured out how to tell the difference between male and female Acorn Woodpeckers.  This is a female.  The top of her head is white, then black, then red.  The males are just white, then red (no black on top). 

As you can see she's become a 'regular' at the peanut feeder.

She uses her long pink tongue to help snag a peanut. 

And here is a male Acorn Woodpecker and he's got a peanut too!

12 comments:

Mii Stitch said...

Lovely pictures as always Beth!

backporchcarver said...

Always enjoy seeing your Nature shots, great photography and a great start to my day, thanks for sharing.

backporchcarver said...

Always enjoy seeing your Nature shots, great photography and a great start to my day, thanks for sharing.

Ann at Beadlework. said...

Fantastic selection of photos today Beth, I love the one with the woodpecker using her tongue.

Carol said...

What handsome birds, Beth! We thought we heard a bird pecking at a nearby tree yesterday, but weren't able to find it to identify it... You really do live in Woodpecker Wonderland :)

cucki said...

Such lovely photos ..
Big hugs x

Margaret said...

Fantastic! I so enjoy your pictures -- the new camera is wonderful!

Barb said...

Yes indeed!!! You are living in woodpecker paradise! The tongue photo is amazing.

Poppypatchwork said...

We call our Starlings the mob/gang. They hit our feeders in large numbers, fight over space and leave a mess on the ground, which the blackbirds love.

Chris said...

Woot!

Athena at Minervas Garden said...

Gorgeous woodpecker pictures, Beth! The starlings are little thugs at our suet feeder, too.

Pam in IL said...

So many woodpeckers! Thanks for the lesson on the Acorn Woodpecker too.