Thursday, April 23, 2015

Blue Rabbit and Red Woodpeckers

Design - "Small Blue Motif 1" (freebie)
Designer - Windy Willows
Fabric - 32 count cream linen
Fibers - DMC - 2 strands over 2 threads
Started - 23 April 2015
Completed - 23 April 2015

While enjoying a sunny, albeit windy afternoon outside with the cats, I stitched this little rabbit.  It reminds me of a small Delft tile.

This has been a busy week for woodpeckers.

The male Red-Shafted Northern Flickers are very territorial now. Lots of drumming and hammering and strutting. 

Often there are two males vying for the attention of a single female.

Mostly the females would just like to be left alone...

...to eat in peace!

I do have one interesting female Flicker - see the yellow on the underside  of her tail feathers?

Here's a better photo. I think she is a Yellow-shafted Northern Flicker - far more common east of the Rockies. The folks at bird store think she might be an intergrade - which is a hybrid of the two types. 

This male Flicker probably is an intergrade. He has red shafts, but also has a red stripe on the nape of his neck which is a characteristic of yellow-shafted flickers.  

Occasionally a Red-breasted Sapsucker flits by.

It's hard to top the brilliant red of their heads.

I was most excited though to see a female Downy Woodpecker, even though she does not sport any red feathers!  I haven't had much Downy Action this winter and am hoping for more frequent sightings this spring.

I see Jays and Starlings at the peanut feeders are more frequently than the Acorn Woodpeckers. 

And instead of groups of three and four, I am luck to have two birds at the same time - far more often it is a 'singleton'.

11 comments:

Robin in Virginia said...

What a sweet little rabbit block you stitched! I enjoy your bird photos a lot.

Robin in Virginia

Irene said...

che meraviglia e che belle foto!

daisy g said...

Your stitching is so darling.
You have quite an array of beauties there! You must feed 'em the good stuff! ;0)

Frances said...

That's a sweet little blue bunny!
I love seeing all the pretty birds!!!!

Ann at Beadlework. said...

The flickers are always a pleasure to see Beth.

Unknown said...

You know your bird photographs always impress me…so does your knowledge of these feathered friends!

Margaret said...

Cute rabbit! It's interesting about the "intergrade" birds. I didn't know such things existed. Very interesting!

Barb said...

Great woodpecker photos! I love that little blue rabbit design.

Carol said...

Lovely little bunny finish, Beth :) We had a very similar looking woodpecker to your last photo at our suet feeder the other day--I don't think it was exactly like him, though.

Maggee said...

Love the bunny finish--sweet! As for the Flickers--they definitely could be 'hybrids'. I have female Downy's visit my feeder lots... I haven't been taking pictures because I don't want to bore anyone... but they still visit me! I hope to post to my blogs real soon!

Pam in IL said...

You're lucky to have so many woodpeckers. I've had a female Downy off and on throughout the winter, but haven't seen her lately.

Such a sweet, little blue bunny!