Red-Headed Woodpecker...a first for me!

And a rare find in Vermont I guess! I was about to walk out my front door when he landed on the post outside my window at 7 AM. He allowed me time to go get my camera and fire off quite a few shots before my daughter drove in the yard and spooked him. When I submitted my observation to ebird, the notice asked if I was sure because they are not usually in my area! I'm sure!

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/umzG​5V

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/tpJH​e8

A big Congrats to you Sandy, Wow! I hope he hangs around so you can get more nice shots! Happy Happy you must be.

Oldjackssparrows wrote in post #17589116
A big Congrats to you Sandy, Wow! I hope he hangs around so you can get more nice shots! Happy Happy you must be.

Thanks! I was so excited because I had only seen them in photographs, then to find out they are rather rare...bonus! Yup, Happy Dance for sure!

Good catch.

What a great find for you, Sandy! I have to travel about an hour west to find them and, even then, they are not a sure thing. They certainly are a breathtakingly beautiful species and you did well to get such good photos of one. Good for you.

Congrats on the rarity and lovely shots.

Get some food out there for it!
Congrats Sandy. Great shots too

Mel-S wrote in post #17589183
Good catch.

Thank you!

CDMOOSE wrote in post #17589202
What a great find for you, Sandy! I have to travel about an hour west to find them and, even then, they are not a sure thing. They certainly are a breathtakingly beautiful species and you did well to get such good photos of one. Good for you.

Thanks Al. Breathtaking is right! Normally I can not hand-hold the 400, so I was happy to get a few sharp images. The body shot is not very good, but I wanted to show it anyway. I'm happy that the birds still come to me!

2n10 wrote in post #17589317
Congrats on the rarity and lovely shots.

Thanks John. I'm still pretty excited about the possibility of seeing him again.

jhayesvw wrote in post #17589333
Get some food out there for it!
Congrats Sandy. Great shots too

Thanks Jeremy. I keep putting out small amounts in hopes that he will return. Small amounts because the bears have been visiting this spring, and I want the food gone by dark.

Christmas came early, girl! Congratulations! Actually, I wasn't aware that they are somewhat rare. Know they are rare around me. Never have seen one. Great fortune and shooting, Sandy.

Fantastic for you Sandy!
Isn't it exciting to have unusual visitors? You managed some great images too that certainly leave no doubt who your visitor was.
I too hope that many return visits are in order so you can bring us more!

ardeekay wrote in post #17589436
Christmas came early, girl! Congratulations! Actually, I wasn't aware that they are somewhat rare. Know they are rare around me. Never have seen one. Great fortune and shooting, Sandy.

Thanks Rog. I didn't know anything about them until today when I looked into them a little. A quote that I found, "This magnificent species has declined severely in the past half-century because of habitat loss and changes to its food supply." It appears that they do not show up on their range map for my area either. It's so tiny it is hard to be certain.

The "e-bird" reviewer for my area contacted me this morning to send him my photos because of the rarity in my area! I sent them, now waiting for his reaction!

Wow, those are really beautiful Sandy great captures!

Wonderful shots Sandy, great light.