I looked hard for my 59th bird this month. Red-bellied Woodpeckers are not rare around here, but are not seen commonly like Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers. South-western Ontario is the extreme northern range for these birds that make their home in the Carolinian forest. I have seen Pileated Woodpeckers more often and at a closer range than the Red-bellied variety. I have never been close enough to get a picture and have seen them only three times in treetops.
I was delighted to see this woodpecker on a tree at the Guelph Lake Nature Centre as it ate snow from a branch. I took several shots and watched it fly away. A few minutes later it landed on the feeder right in front of me and was not spooked at all as I took several pictures of it.
In fact it seemed to be posing for me from every angle. It was worth 23 days of searching to find this particular show-off bird!Number 60 coming up soon, plus a bonus #61!
I love the red-bellied, and it is rare in my yard. What great close-ups!
ReplyDeleteWOW! This is awesome! You have your own "Handsome" - and he knows how to strike a pose! Vouge! Vouge!
ReplyDeleteA special bird foe sure.I have been priveledged to see one once ,many years ago in Manitoba.You got some great shots as well.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,Ruth
Love the red bellied picture! Wooo Hooo for making your goal!!
ReplyDeleteHe is so pretty--just posing for you. Thanks for the effort to find him and bringing him to us.
ReplyDeleteWow - he is awesome. Nice that you got him to pose for you. A real find. I haven't seen many of those out our way. But I did see a pileated woodpecker in our backyard a few days ago.
ReplyDeleteNow that is certainly one striking fellow. What great shots you have of him. His poses are like payments for your efforts in seeking him out. Does this "handsome dude" make your list 61 or did you find another bird to pass your goal?
ReplyDeleteIt's not even the end of January so your list could still grow. What are you going to do for January 2010?
What a little show off your redbellied is...
ReplyDeletegreat shots!
Excellent posts #1 and #2 and My world. Awesome photos. I love nature. And you caught it in your photos beautifully and so alive.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very beautiful woodpecker and your photos show it gloriously. Although we see them in our area sometimes, and this year there have been reports of a few, they are still listed as rare in our area. I had once once, a few years ago attending our feeders daily in late November and December. That was a real treat!!
ReplyDeleteYour mention of the similarities in colour to the male Pine Gosbeak and the male White-winged Crosbills was right on, tho there is quite a difference in size. Your visits and comments are always appreciated.
I love that last shot where you can see his beautiful red belly!
ReplyDeleteLucky you! You got gorgeous photos of this sweet poser.
ReplyDeleteOh, good for you! I did not know they went that far north! When I was growing up in CT I never saw them, but now when I go back to visit I see them all the time! However, I saw my first one in Florida in 2003.
ReplyDeleteGood for you! And those are wonderful shots of the RBWP with his eyes gloating over that pile of black oil seeds!
ReplyDeleteI've written comments and they just don't go through...I love the red-bellied and these are some great shots..Above your note about feeder placement is very good and one people need to take account of. The birds need a place to go and hide..let's see if this comment shows up..
ReplyDeleteThat's great that you were able to get a great view of such a beautiful and uncommon woodpecker in your area. Nice posing shots too!
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