Changes

I worked on the reindeer with the new skein of Hickory Sticks - am not thrilled. The dye lot is enough different that all my eye sees is the change on the hind leg.

I am enjoying lots of Downy Woodpecker activity.

I often have a male and female at the same time.

Here one zooms in as the other watches!

All of my photos seem to be of the male.

Eyelid closing.

The woodpecker tail feathers are very strong and stiff. 

They used them to help balance.

I referred to changes in the header.  And sadly at the end of September, I became aware that my beloved Acorn Woodpecker colony has moved on after all these years.  I cannot come up with any particular reason for the change, as best I can tell their granary tree is upright and still has lots of stored acorns and peanuts.  They were such social, noisy birds, and so have left a big quiet gap in the sounds and calls that I'm used to hearing.  I miss them.