Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Female Red-bellied Woodpecker



I always get very excited when I see a new bird species here at Robin's Nesting Place! Having a home in a newer subdivision that was once a cornfield, with no trees, it has taken me years to attract birds to my feeders. Of course my children think I'm totally nuts to get as excited as I do, (this totally sensible mom has been known to actually jump up and down and be moved to tears at the sight of a bird). I'm not even sure why it thrills me so much, but it does!


A few days ago, for the very first time, I spotted a red-bellied woodpecker at the back of my yard. I was on the phone with a neighbor when I spotted it. I started taking pictures while holding the phone. Because of the distance and holding both the camera and phone, the pictures were not very good.


I was totally delighted when she came back today and braved the feeders! She was a little shy and didn't stay very long. I hope she will be a regular now and I'm really hoping that she has a mate and that he will soon visit.

23 comments:

Carol said...

Lucky you!! Your photographs are fantastic! What a joy to see these. Brava!! ;>) Carol

Anonymous said...

Wonderful Robin, on all counts! I believe they travel in pairs, so the male is around somewhere. We see the female much more often than the male at our feeders. Maybe the females are more gregarious, mixing it up with the other birds at the feeder. I don't blame you one bit for the tears. :-)
Frances

The Giraffe Head Tree said...

Why, oh why do you say these are "bad?" These photos are all fantastic!!! GREAT luck and GREAT shots, Robin!!! Wow!

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Your children just need to learn that it's OK to get all excited about a bird.:)
This one especially is worth getting excited about.Great pictures.
Blessings,Ruth

Janet, The Queen of Seaford said...

Super photos Robin!! We get the Red bellied woodpeckers but not every day. I love seeing the different woodpeckers.

Regina said...

Gorgeous shots!
I TOTALLY get your excitement about the birds. I am fairly new to putting out feeders because we are in a similar development with established woods about a half mile away. But the rewards of feeding the birds is paying off & it is SUCH a joy.

debsgarden said...

Fantastic photos! I also get excited when i see birds, even the ones who are around all the time. When I see a new visitor, I am thrilled. I think gardeners appreciate nature and want to feel that connection.

dining tables said...

I like your photos! The shots are so clear and the colors are so crisp! It has been a while since I last saw some woodpeckers.

Carolyn said...

Beautiful@ I have never seen one of those here.
Carolyn

Lisa at Greenbow said...

How exciting to get a new bird at the feeders. I certainly can understand your excitement. I can't wait until you get a Flicker. I so need a good shot of a Flicker to paint. ;)

F Cameron said...

Robin
Your photos ARE wonderful! Incredible, in fact!

We have a Red-bellied regular who likes to eat from our songbird feeder. She does "chin ups" while hanging on the perch in order to reach the seeds. Ours is a regular, so yours is likely to return.

Cameron

Melody said...

She is so pretty! And your pictures are so clear, I feel like I just pet her.

Stone Art's Blog said...

I love woodpeckers, unfortunately Ireland is one of the only countries in Europe to have no resident woodpeckers, however the Great Spotted woodpecker is apparently making a comeback :)
You pictures are fantastic by the way.

Unknown said...

Oh, Robin these are just so amazing! Lucky you for having this bird visit, and skillful you for catching her so nicely.

Kylee Baumle said...

GORGEOUS! I get excited to see birds, too, Robin, so I totally understand your reaction. I saw a black-capped chickadee at the feeders for the first time yesterday. I know...they're common as dirt; I'd just not seen them before! I was excited!

gittan said...

Great pictures / gittan

Jayne said...

Awesome photos. I'm lucky enough to have been visited on a fairly regular basis. I always assume it's a "he" but actually I have no idea if it's male or female! I get excited when I see birds too :-)

sweetbay said...

I especially like the last photo, that's really beautiful. I can understand getting excited about seeing a bird. :)

Country Girl said...

I am just in awe of your photography!

Commonweeder said...

What wonderful photographs. I think taking pictures of birds takes a special talent and a balance between patience and quickness. Beautiful.

Kerri Farley said...

Robin, these are absolutely stunning pictures! WOW! I am so happy for you. And I know EXACTLY what you mean about being moved to tears when seeing birds. I feel so connected to the natural world and to God when I am watching these amazing creatures - and I am often moved to tears.

eileeninmd said...

Beautiful shots of the Red bellied Woodie, Robin. Great captures and Well done!

deb mills said...

robin, i totally understand and share your excitement over seeing a new bird at my feeder. i so enjoy your photos and hope to be able to get shots like yours some day. i'm saving for a good zoom lens. thanks for sharing!