Pecker,, but what kind?

[JZaun]

Looked out my kitchen window and there he was. Snow and sleet are falling so I can't go outside. Grabbed the 20d and a 100-400 lens, snuck to the window and tried a couple shots thru the glass, nope thats not gonna work. The bottom sash on the window was frozen shut!! the top sash moved, Got a chair and slowly lowered the top sash, ballanced on a wobbly chair and took 3 pics before I fell. He saw me shaking on the chair and left in a hurry. Must be a chicken bird. :)

Anyway can't find it in my Virginia Bird book. anyone have a clue?

http://www.bytegallery.com/data/3099/51IMG_2673.JPG

JZ

[robertwgross]

That is a good specimen of the Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus), Eastern subspecies. The Eastern subspecies has the red nape, and others don't.

---Bob Gross---

[Maz]

Nice shot JZaun and thank you for the id Robert. I can't wait for them to come back up this way.

Maz
http://www.homesteadsforsale.com

[JZaun]

That is a good specimen of the Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus), Eastern subspecies. The Eastern subspecies has the red nape, and others don't.

---Bob Gross---


Thanks Bob. I went to filcker and found it. My book doesn't show the Red and colors don't match the pic at all but You are right..!! Its a Male Northern Flicker.

He is a first for me. But then again I get a lot first with photography. :)

JZ

[robertwgross]

Yes, the standard Northern Flicker is found over just about all of North America. This one appears to be the Yellow-shafted Eastern subspecies, which has the red nape, and it appears to be an adult male, which has the black stripe on the face.

Often it is hard to get them at the right angle so you can see all of those field marks.

---Bob Gross---

[iof]

This was taken in west central Minnessota last summer and I was not sure what it was. Looks like the same bird. I had time for one quick handheld shot and he was gone.
http://www.pbase.com/iof/image/37827650.jpg

a few more at http://www.pbase.com/iof/birds


Ron

edit: It actually doesn't look like the same bird. This one is missing the black on the cheek. Female??

[TammieO]

JZ,
Not sure which I enjoyed more...the pretty bird or the visual of you balancing on a wobbly chair concentrating on getting "THE" shot. What a great story to go with the pic. Hope you and the camera are okay! Thanks for the giggle.

[robertwgross]

I would say it is the same species of the female gender.

---Bob Gross---

[LazyPhotographer]

Great catch Jerry!

[CyberDyneSystems]

They are beautifull birds and thats a great shot of One Jerry,. the snow adds a nice touch too :)

[sparker1]

Great shot, and a good story.

[Richard51]

Can you teach me how to balance on a shaky chair AND take great shots like that one. Some of my tripod shots don't turn out that good. Great picture.