I drove over to the top of the ski hill one evening to catch the late afternoon view over the valley as the sun started to set. As I stood at the top of Avalanche ski run taking pictures, I heard a tapping on a tree. Waiting and watching I spotted a Hairy Woodpecker up in a nearby maple.
Skiing was over for the day, and the shadows had crept across the ski runs.
It took me a few minutes to spot it among all the branches, but it completely ignored me while I got a few shots that were actually in focus!
These were definitely large enough to be the Hairy Woodpecker rather than the smaller Downy.
Then I heard some sharp squeaking as another woodpecker arrived. They appeared to be a pair.
But I'm not sure if there's some red on top of this bird's head as well; perhaps they were just two males.
Somehow I'd ignored it til then, but then I spotted the moon shining down from behind the tree branches.
We don't get many bird sightings here in deep winter, and our feeders haven't worked well this year since the snow avalanched off the roof and created a large glacier on the deck! So it was particularly nice to spot these two, and in their natural habitat.
Linking to:
The woodpecker does stand out nicely!
ReplyDeleteIt's always fun to have an unexpected wildlife sighting!
ReplyDeleteWow - fabulous photos.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos . Oh you would love it here in our valley with all the birds we get here in our back yard .Thanks for sharing , Have a good day !
ReplyDeleteIt is hard for me to get pictures of woodpeckers,these are great! Thanks for sharing, Phyllis
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy seeing the woodpeckers! Great sightings and photos! Thank you for linking up and sharing your post.. Have a happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteNice captures of the Downey Woodpeckers. We have a pair coming the the feeders all the time. They're quite the hogs! We're in storm mode again today. Snowy and blowy. Enjoy your weekend.
ReplyDeleteso very cute. :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful images of the Woodpeckers. Have a lovely weekend.
ReplyDeleteOther than general body size, there's a handy way to tell Downy from Hairy Woodpeckers - Downy's beak is small, like half an inch, whereas the Hairy's is an inch long -- we used to get them often in winter, to a suet hanger. Got visits from Red-Bellied WPs too that way. Great shots - they are always on the move
ReplyDeleteNice shots of the woodpeckers. : ) And what a bright blue sky in the moon picture.
ReplyDeleteFabulous shots of the woodpecker! It's not always easy to spot them even if you hear them.
ReplyDeleteGreat woodpecker photos! Every time I get my camera out, the woodpeckers scoot around to the other side of the tree!
ReplyDeleteHave a great day!
Lea
I always enjoy seeing the woodpeckers. Lovely moon shot, too!
ReplyDelete~
A little bright spot of something moving is always really welcome in the winter.Thanks!
ReplyDeleteSeeing a woodpecker of any kind really makes me day. Beautiful shots of these two.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on having a bird in your picture!
ReplyDelete