Acorn Woodpeckers

[bluesbassman]

Took these in the Sunol Wilderness on a hike today. Posted some shots of the rest of the hike in GD to give the folks over there a little break in the action. Those shots are here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025990052

Here's the acorn woodpeckers working on a live oak. The bottom shot shows two males and a female to the left (no red cap).

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. My dear bluesbassman!

These are very nice!

I love the bright coloring of the males..........of course!

I hope you had a great hike.

[Adsos Letter]

2. Nice

I like the contrast of red and green.

Pretty as they are they sure can be destructive little guys. We painted the exteriors of a large condo development at Silverado Country Club a couple of decades ago. Spent a bunch of time replacing trim that they had jack hammered into to store their acorns.

Sunol is only about 40 minutes from us, yet I've never been. Your last couple of posts of shots from there have me wanting to take a drive down there this week.

Edit: Sunol...not sure where Sunil is...

[bluesbassman]

6. Definitely worth the drive, especially right now with the water flowing and the hills so green.

Just the ride out there on Calaveras Road is breathtaking. Hope you can make it out there.

[Hoppy]

3. Acorns were the model for Woody.

(Heard that on N.P.R. a few years ago.)

[NV Whino]

4. I think the pilated was the model for Woody.

[alfredo]

7. I thought so too. The call of the Acorn is Woody. link

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/acorn_woodpecker/sounds

Play the next to the last call.

[Hoppy]

8. I also thought it was the Pileated.

Woody's creator was in the Pacific Northwest in a cabin when his attention was caught by an Acorn Woodpecker.

[alfredo]

9. The crest is what made me think of the Pileated, but the call confirms the Acorn.

At first I thought it was inspired by a few notes from Aaron Copland. I can't remember the piece.

[NV Whino]

5. I call them Kamikaze woodpeckers

They are always diving in front of your car.

And they are second to none when it comes to destruction.

Nice catch with the wings open.

[handmade34]

10. delightful...

I have a wonderful Acorn Wooodpecker story to tell... your photos cause me to reminisce

[bluesbassman]

11. Thanks handmade, I take that as an extreme compliment.

Nothing gives me more joy than to hear someone say that a photo brings back a good memory. Glad these did that for you! ve to hear your story some time!

[Celebration]

12. Sweet!

Woodpeckers of all kinds are faves of mine and we sure don't have these around here. Love learning, and great photos.

[CrispyQ]

13. They are beautiful!