Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Six of a Kind

Design - "Free Betsy"
Designer - Bent Creek
Fabric - 28 count Flax linen
Fibers -GAST, WDW, and DMC - 2 strands over 2 threads
Started - 10 July 2016
Completed - 14 July 2016

The chart photograph showed the blue and red as I stitched them, but the colors were charted opposite with the flag and badge having red on top and blue below.  I decided I like the photograph so stitched it that way.  I used flax linen and I am in love with the color of the linen. It is perfect!

It was a perfect week for woodpeckers too.
I got to see all six 'varieties'.

I was surprised to look out the front window and find a small Downy Woodpecker at the suet feeder on the front porch. 

I cautiously opened the front door and took a couple of photos.

Note the small beak on this bird.

Here's one of my juvenile male Hairy Woodpeckers.

See how much bigger and longer the bill is than the Downy's. 

I was also pleased to have a female Hairy Woodpecker at the feeders.

I hadn't seen a female in two or three weeks.

Here's a young Red-breasted Sapsucker.

You can tell it is a young bird because the head is not the bright red of a mature adult bird nor is the breast.

The Acorn Woodpeckers have been rather elusive.  I think the are still busy raising their young. 

The Flickers have all fledged, but the adults are still feeding them.

This adult looks rather frazzled!

Feeding time!

Feeding time.

Feeding time!

I guess it is always feeding time.

One morning I had six Flickers at the front feeders!

And last, but certainly not least, a male Pileated Woodpecker dropped by.

This bird was not shy and allowed me to take as many photos as I wanted.

It came by later in the morning, so I had good light for a change.

The red crest from the back to the bill as well as the red mustache marks it as a male.

It may be a young male as the mustache does not have much color.

The bird groomed and preened most of the time - note the small feather dangling from its beak.   

7 comments:

Vickie said...

Free Betsy is adorable!

Maggee said...

I like Free Betsy--nice! Great group of woodpeckers... I have decided that I have Downy woodpeckers visiting my feeder. It has been so hot, I have not seen as many birds lately... Been watching the Hummingbird cams on Cornell's website--THAT is fun!! Hugs!

Frances said...

I love your stitching! Sheep are always so cute!
You have so many woodpeckers! The acorn woodpecker must like that tree because there are a lot of holes in it in your photo!

Wanda said...

Hi Beth, You have had a great stitching month. I love seeing all the woodpeckers!

Barb said...

Free Betsy is a great design, very cute! I love seeing all the woodpeckers! I have been hearing them in my woods.

Lea said...

Wonderful woodpecker photos!
Very nice cross-stitching, too!

Adam Jones said...

Lovely looking Woodpecker.