Couple from the other day and a question-

This Red-bellied Woodpecker looked different than the usual-head coloring was much paler. In fact, looking in my book, he looks much more like a Gila WP. But they're in Arizona, not Illinois. I don't know what a juvenile RBWP looks like-is that what he was? Thoughts?

wow Rog, that jay shot is stunning.

Rog,
Could it be that it is a younger bird?
I see these every day at my feeder -- and I to, have observed some "paler" versions.
I just assumed they were younger birds -- but I could very well be wrong!?

Great shots! Love the detail in the jays feathers!

Thanks, guys, for looking and commenting. Mark, did a little investigating and on the Wikipedia site there is a pix of an adult female. Head is paler so maybe this is a female and maybe young.?. And then, as far as I noticed, all my previous visitors were males. Huh!

It's an adult female RB woodpecker. Juveniles have gray in place of red. Nice colors on the jay!

gymell wrote in post #15214604
It's an adult female RB woodpecker. Juveniles have gray in place of red. Nice colors on the jay!

Thank you, Liz, appreciate the confirmation and nice words. I wonder where the females were all summer? Or maybe I just wasn't very observant. They are very skittish!

Lovely shot of the Jay there Rog, the blues really stand out.

2slo wrote in post #15215237
Lovely shot of the Jay there Rog, the blues really stand out.

Thanks much, Mark, appreciate it. Both were thru the backdoor glass-if it's overcast, that works; if the sun is out, it doesn't.

Rog, if you have to shoot through glass , get the front of the lens as close to it and as flat against it (i.e. not angled) as is possible. Stick to centre point focus with your 7D and that will minimise reflections and distortion.

2slo wrote in post #15215361
Rog, if you have to shoot through glass , get the front of the lens as close to it and as flat against it (i.e. not angled) as is possible. Stick to centre point focus with your 7D and that will minimise reflections and distortion.

Exactly what I do.

Beautiful shots Rog, I go for the jay as well, beautiful popping colors!

Beautiful shots.

Love the shots

ardeekay wrote in post #15215213
Thank you, Liz, appreciate the confirmation and nice words. I wonder where the females were all summer? Or maybe I just wasn't very observant. They are very skittish!

I see a male quite often at my feeder, but the female not very often. The male is constantly coming in to take peanuts all day long right now, I assume he's caching them somewhere! Look for juveniles starting around June. The parents will bring them to the feeders.