We have few bird photos today, and I importune readers to send me their good wildlife photos, as I’m running a bit low.
Reader Garry VanGelderen sent this photo and a caption:
Here is a female pileated woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) on my suet feeding log.
Stephen Barnard sent this photo of a photos of a belted kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) some time ago
And from John Harshman:
On a recent trip to the Panoche Valley (a bit southeast of the Bay area), the most interesting bit was the hundreds, perhaps thousands, of wintering mountain bluebirds (Sialia currucoides). As these birds usually do, they were feeding on insects on the ground, often hovering at low altitude or perching on plant stems to spot the next meal. For every bird visible in the first two photos there are another 10 in the grass.
Wow, Garry, so lucky! Of the six woodpecker species that are found where I live, the Pileated is the one that I’ve never attracted to my feeders. They’re so skittish that even in the woods I only catch a glimpse of them fleeing my presence. I wonder if having a suet LOG rather than baskets might be the key here, considering they prefer to feed from rotted standing trees. Must try it soon.
+1
Make sure you use a good quality suet. I use a mix of crushed peanuts, peanut butter,bacon fat and sometimes bread crumbs.
How interesting!
I often encounter the handiwork of woodpeckers in the woods. One tree in particular is positively sculptured by them. I see the range of the pileated includes my state, so maybe it was one of those.
I have only seen a couple bluebirds where I am, and so seeing a ton of them looks to be a special treat.
The bluebird is splendid. The Eastern version I normally see, of course, has a brown-orange breast. These westerners look sleeker.
Doggone, I keep reading about other people’s sightings of Pileated Woodpeckers but I never see them myslef – its frustrating.
We see them all the time at our house (and hear them too). Now getting a photo of one — that’s a tougher trick!
Nice kingfisher shot Stephen! One of my favorite birds. We are fortunate in having them nest near our pond every year.