Carolina Chickadees and Tufted Titmice were calling back and forth in the empty woods, hopping from branch to branch, foraging from tree to tree. I could also hear a White-breasted Nuthatch and Downy Woodpecker...then a Northern Flicker, and what do you think he was doing? ...eating berries, of course! Those Flickers are berry-eating maniacs.
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| Even though these berries are invasive Asian Honeysuckle and don't offer the nutrition of other native berries, the birds don't care. To them, they are red, and they taste good. |
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...I always love the over-the-shoulder-backward-glancing shots.
Basically, "I see you, I hear you, I don't care that you're there, but take one step toward my berries..."
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The last time I posted a Northern Flicker he was munching on Poison Ivy berries on the Little Miami Trail. This time, further up the river at Fort Ancient, he was devouring horribly invasive Asian Bush Honeysuckle berries, but he can't help himself. He's just looking for the sugar, which I can totally understand! :-)
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25 comments:
Wow I love this bird... It is so cute and so big... You got him well. I wish we had a bird like that around ;-)
I just love their coloration and you've captured him just perfectly Kelly.
Beautiful shots! The bird just seems to glow. And yes, I hear him, and you, on the sugar!
Beautiful pictures of an interesting bird. Flickers can consume about anything.
This is a great shot! You have a steady hand and a great camera; plus a real feel of how to grab the best picture. Really good.
Man, I really need to start hanging around berry bushes some more, so I can see all the birdies dining at the smorgasborg! I'd love to see more Flickers in our area, but I'll have to make do with their Red-bellied cousins (which is good for me!).
Good shots! Flickers are notoriously people-shy, so it was fortunate you caught him in mid-gorge.
We have a lot of the Asian Bush Honeysuckle berries around here, too, especially in Ballard Park and along Ocean Drive. The birdies really love 'em!
I envy the opportunities you have to be able to picture these beautiful birds in your blog!!
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You're more than welcome to come visit the Tea House at http://teatimereflections.blogspot.com
Lovely shots Kelly. He looks quite a big bird too.
Look out Kelly, that flicker is not amused at your potential berry stealing ways!
Great pics!
Chris...he is big! Not as big as the Pileated, but very noticeable. I always love seeing them. Their plumage reminds me of pinecones...
Jayne...thank you!
Laure...yes, oh yes....the sugar. It's just evil. :-)
Bill...thank you! I'm going to keep my eye on them. I hope I can find one eating another type of berry. Would be great to have a series!
Diane...Ahhh...you're so nice, and I was just at your blog and saw that cool outfit for The Little Wooden doll. You're so talented! I'm glad you're my aunt!! :-D
Heather...find the berries, find the flickers, or so it seems this year. Problem is the berries are quickly disappearing, but there are plenty of the honeysuckle left! I love the Red-bellieds too, and since they come to the feeders on my deck, I get to see that red belly up close!
Roy...he was definitely wary...they always are, but I left before he did, so I was lucky!
Reema, thanks for dropping by. I love tea, so I'm going to head over to your blog. I'm brewing some right now--Candy Cane Lane (decaf green tea with peppermint--yum!)
Keith...thanks! He is large, but not as large as old Woody. I really like flickers and the sound they make. I don't see nearly enough of them, though!
Warren....haha! I think you're right. I left before he had to shoo me away! :-)
These fellows wear a very striking 'uniform'.
We all need a sugar fix sometime Kelly but I'd prefer chocolate (don't tell the dentist)!
What a gorgeous looking bird, so colourful - fantastic photos Kelly!
Absolutely fabulous shots of the Flicker! WOW!!
Lovely pictures!
I saw my first flicker last week. I was trying to take a picture of a red-tailed hawk and happened to focus the camera on a nearby tree with a flicker!!! I started to move closer to the flicker, heard a growl, turned around and saw my first bobcat. He scared me to death. Quite a day of firsts.
Frank....I agree...they are formal looking, but sometimes all I can think of is a pinecone when I look at them!
Thanks, Sharon! He is a fun bird!
Thank you, Kerri!!
Elizabeth...that is cool that the flicker just came into view. I love when that happens. Yikes on the bobcat. It must have unnerved you a little, but at the same time, it must have been really exciting!
Getting shots of these flickers is quite a challenge and you seem to have that bird whisper thing going!! Great captures of this bird..I see them all the time but they never want to hang around long enough for a portrait or two!! Great post!!
Great photographs. I loved them all.
Beautiful photos of a lovely and very striking bird.
Beautiful coloured plumage Kelly.
I love seeing the flickers, Kelly. They are such pretty birds.
Hugs,
Betsy
Beautiful shots! We get the Northern Flicker here in Fairbanks too, although not many in the winter. It's been a while since I've seen one.
Their face markings are so distinctive and give them such an interesting look. These are great photos of the berry stealers :-)
A very striking bird, lovely pictures.
Lovely Lovely Lovely!!!
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