Red Belly Woodpecker Returns

[canonloader]

Until a few days ago, I hadn't seen this guy since there was snow on the ground. Now all of a sudden, he's come back to raid the suet cakes I keep out. Instead of eating it here, he seems to be taking loads of it off into the woods. I guess that means he has a nest close by. It's kind of neat that he remembers where the suet is. :)

http://www.freeassociationblog.com/Slideshows/woodpeckers/gallery/album1/large/redbellywoody-img_2105-060407.jpg

http://www.freeassociationblog.com/Slideshows/woodpeckers/gallery/album1/large/redbellywoody-img_2120-060407.jpg

[urbanmate_wv]

Cool closeups!
That is exactly what my RB Woodies are doing. I have at least two regular pairs and recently all they do is load up and leave.

Liz

[canonloader]

Thanks Liz. I have a pair, but haven't seen the female for some time now. I will see one or the other maybe once every couple of weeks since warm weather got here. Before that it was every day. The same with the downys. :)

[Adi7r]

Great shots Mitch.

[canonloader]

Thanks Adi. I also saw a rare redheaded woody this morning, banging on a telephone pole. But he was too fast for me an at an odd angle. Made my day though. :)

[kolok]

Aw lucky you - only thing that raids my suet cakes are a pack of starlings. Love the closeups - the bird really stands out on the light green background. Nice work. How far is the feeder and what lens did you use?

[canonloader]

Thanks Kolok. In that second one, the red background is a cardinal flying past. :)

The feeder is on a little metal yard table 17 feet from my window hide. I was using the Bigma @ 500mm and a 20mm Kenko tube behind it.

[Canonada]

Very nice shots of the very attractive bird. Great detail and colour. I never seen one.
Regards,
Joe

[canonloader]

Thanks Joe. They are very nice birds and become quite tame, but they don't go that far North.

[Tigeracosta]

Excelent shots!

[canonloader]

Thanks Roger. I was glad to see him still around. :)

[MicheleRF]

Very nice close ups, Mitch. He's a bit of a messy eater! I have a pair that are usually at either my suet or my peanut feeder. Haven't gotten any good shots though, pretty skittish.

[canonloader]

Thanks Michele. I sit in my window hide. He can see me, but only my head behind the camera, so he can brave that, otherwise he'd be out of there like a shot. :)

[Miniflash]

Very nice Mitch ~I'm still waiting for the return here ..lol hope my skills improve by then .

[canonloader]

Thanks Deb. My image quality went right up as soon as I started using my tripod. ;)

[memorex88]

Hey Mitch, glad your friend came back for a visit.
Well captured.

[rocklyons]

As usual Mitch, your photos are great.

Rock

[canonloader]

Thanks Marco and Rock. This guy is sly, he comes in from behind the feeder cause he stops in a tree down the road and scopes everything out first, so he sees me in the window. Sneaky guy, so it's hard to get him on a stick or better perch. :)

[Booswalia]

Hi Mitch,
Those are great shots. So sharp. He sure looks like he's enjoying that suet in the second shot.
I must tell you Mitch. Every time I look at your avatar I see a tiny little face, with a great big beard, wearing a huge striped hat. Makes me give it a second glance every time.

[Moniphoto]

I love this pictures. Now i am taking pictures of birds too.

Moni

[Kevin]

Excellent shots Mitch. Very sharp!!

[stefeb]

Great shots Mitch. Only birds coming to my suet feeder, so far, are Bluejay and Catbird. Had a few White Breasted Nuthatches last year.

[canonloader]

Thanks Shirley, Moni, Kevin and Steve. Shirley, I see it too, only to me it looks like a striped beret. :)

Kevin, I do have one nuthatch and a grey catbird eating it too. The catbird is here every 20 minutes or so. :)

[wlaramie]

Mitch great shots. They are a wonderful bird but very quick for sure. They usually don't waste much time at the feeders, although I did have one Sunday that lingered for a little longer than usual. :)

[canonloader]

Thanks Bill. This one is still a bit wild and shy, but that other feeder I shoot at a lot, has a pair of them and are almost tame. I'm hoping to tame this pair too, over time. :)