Red-headed Woodpecker

[Solly Mack]

I was out getting my photo for the Summer contest and saw several Red-headed woodpeckers flying back and forth across the pond. I usually try and do a lizard shot for the Summer contest but Anoles are scarce this year. Geckos, however, are so plentiful they are giving birth inside my house. We've been finding teeny tiny all but clear baby geckos all over the house for a couple of weeks now. (and keeping the dogs from eating them)

I've been letting them go about in peace, so no photos.

[NRaleighLiberal]

1. Great shots! Love that bird...we see them when we kayak in Falls lake -

they never come into our yard, sadly.

[Solly Mack]

2. I couldn't believe how many there were in one spot.

Just flying back and forth, landing for a few minutes. I think they were playing. They weren't my goal but I was very happy to see them.


Thanks!

[xocet]

3. Nice photos. I remember seeing a fair number of them in Western Iowa years ago. n/t

[Solly Mack]

4. Thanks! I was very happy to see so many.

[xocet]

5. They are a pretty kind of bird. Do you also get to see Red-winged Blackbirds where you are?

I have been hoping to get back to Western Iowa to see about photographing pheasants - their numbers have apparently severely declined from what I have heard.

[Solly Mack]

6. Yes. They come to my feeders from time to time.

I haven't been able to get a photo yet though. I keep hoping...

[ramapo]

8. Great shots

I'm constantly amazed at the variety of birds you find. I hear woodpeckers all around but they are quite stealthy. The red-wing blackbirds used to be very common around here (North Jersey) but I don't see them as often. I had feeders out for years until a few years ago when every so often a bear would amble by and destroy the feeder so that cut down on the bird visits to my yard. They do seem to like the beans and tomatoes in the garden but I can't catch them in the act. I might give the feeders another try come the cold weather. In the meantime, I will continue to enjoy the birds through your work.

[Solly Mack]

9. Thank you. I find raccoons and opossums at my feeders often.

Mainly at night. Along with the squirrels and rabbits during the day. The smaller birds wait until the crows chase the 4 legged away and then the blue jays and mockingbirds chase the crows away. Except for the rabbits - the rabbits don't bother the birds. I've got a couple of flying squirrels in the woods below me and I've been trying to entice them closer. Some consider them pest. I just want to get a photo of them.

[ramapo]

11. Flying squirrels are so cute....

unless they are living in your attic which ours were. Sadly we had to exterminate a few but were lucky they hadn't had time to get real comfortable. Our exterminator (who has a bunch of flying squirrels as pets) said we could have easily had dozens within a short amount of time. I was amazed how they found a tiny hole in the corner of the house that was exposed when our power line came down during a storm. I was surprised to learn flying squirrels even lived around here.

Now the grey squirrels were the big troublemakers around the feeders. That was a battle that could not be won so I eventually thought of the feeders as dual purpose, there for bird and squirrel alike.

[Bonhomme Richard]

7. Nice shots n/t

[Solly Mack]

10. Thanks!

[mnhtnbb]

12. Nice shots! The red headed woodpeckers around here won't stay still long enough to get a shot!

[Solly Mack]

13. Thanks!

I was just lucky several of them decided to play while I was there.

[alfredo]

14. Beautiful. We don't see too many Red Headed Woodpeckers here. We see

a lot of Downy and Pileated. Sapsuckers are occasional guest here, mostly in the winter for the suet I put out.

[Solly Mack]

15. They are beautiful birds.

And playful.

[alfredo]

16. I was surprised at the size of the Red Headed. The feathers on the Pileated reminded me

of Toucan feathers. The Pileated seemed rather fearless.