During one of our many hailstorms this afternoon, a male Northern Red-shafted Flicker "Colaptes Auratus" appeared at our suet feed. Last year it wasn't uncommon for the flickers to visit the suet feeder and we had many, many that worked the ground and trees around our house. This year the flickers have been few and far between. All Winter we have had Red-tail and Cooper's Hawks patrolling the sky. Their constant presence has forced the flickers to move down the hill and into the forest. However, in the last week or two, I have been awakened in the morning by the sound of a flicker hammering on the roof above my bedroom. And now this handsome fellow is back at the feeder.
I had never noticed before the downy feathers that seem to cover his legs. They have such beautiful markings.
I was a bit nervous taking the pictures because I didn't want to scare him off but I shouldn't have worried. He was really enjoying the suet and didn't pay any attention to me.
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1 comment:
What beautiful pictures! I've never seen a bird like that before.
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