Here are a few pictures that I have taken of birds and critters in the last couple of weeks. The green insect is a Leaf Hopper and is about 3″ long. That insect was on my living room window yesterday morning. Please click on the thumbnail image and as ever, enjoy!
Today’s woodpeckers are the Downy and Red-bellied Woodpeckers. I took the two pictures of the tiny Downy on Oct. 4, 2014. The pictures of the Red-bellied Woodpecker were taken on Oct. 7, 2014. Both birds were spotted in this same tree across the street from my home. Please click on the thumbnail image to see the larger photograph. Enjoy!
Male Northern Cardinal
Northern Cardinals, Carolina Chickadees, Carolina Wrens, and Tufted Titmice have been here in the last couple of days. My neighbor has a bird feeder up and that is a big draw now for these songbirds. There also has been newly seen squirrel interest in that feeder but that is another story.
These little birds are enjoying Millet and Sunflower Seeds from the bird feeders as well as a variety of naturally growing Fall berries and seeds here. The Northern Cardinals, Chickadees,and Carolina Wrens also eat small insects and are having a great time finding caterpillars and other goodies around in this neighborhood. I took these pictures on Oct. 4, 2014 and again on Oct. 5, 2014. Please click on the thumbnail image to see the larger picture. Enjoy!
Tufted Titmouse
Carolina Chickadee
Carolina Wren
This Red-bellied Woodpecker is the first woodpecker we have had visit our trees here in many weeks. I was very excited to see this bird here! I heard that unmistakable “Chuff-chuff” and looked for the woodpecker up in the Live Oak next door.
We have had a lot of rain here and woodpeckers often are active just after the rains end. Insects tend to come out of the cracks and folds of the bark and wood making it easier for the woodpeckers to get at the tasty bites. I took these pictures yesterday, Sept. 23, 2014. Please click on the thumbnail image to see the larger photo. Enjoy!
This Red-bellied Woodpecker was spotted at what I like to call the “Woodpecker colony” located in a pasture near one of the entrances to this development. This is in a working cattle ranch pasture. It is a block from the rainfall retention pond where I have been seeing the ducks and egrets.
Last year I also spotted quite a few Red-headed Woodpeckers in this pasture location. While I was there taking pictures, I did hear what I think was the trill of a Red-headed Woodpecker, but that bird was likely deep in the nearby Oak forest on the ranch property (not accessible). I took these pictures of the chatty woodpecker on March 9, 2014 early in the evening. Please click on the thumbnail image to see the larger photo. As ever, I hope you will enjoy the pictures!
This Red Bellied Woodpecker was spotted in several different trees in my neighborhood on January 13, 2014. This active bird was trying to find some tasty insects within the bark of torn branches in the Oaks and Pine Trees. These woodpeckers also sometimes just poke around with that sharp bill to see if there are soft places in the tree branches or trunks. Sometimes soft places offer potential spots for nesting or for food storage caches. The woodpeckers can hollow out these particular soft place quite easily.
Red-bellied Woodpeckers often will come to backyard bird feeders. They love Sunflower Seeds as well as Corn, in addition to their regular diet of insects. Most of the bird feeders around my neighborhood are presently empty. I think that in coming weeks, more folks will refill their feeder station. I plan to add a feeder myself. Please click on the thumbnail image to see the larger photo. Enjoy!
This Red-bellied Woodpecker was busily climbing up the trunk and pecking on a limb of one of the older trees here on the street where I live. I took the pictures on December 26, 2013. Please click on the thumbnail image to see the larger picture. I am wishing everyone a very happy new year in 2014!
This Red-bellied Woodpecker is one of a pair that have moved into the neighborhood. I took these pictures on October 9, 2013 in my back yard. This chatty woodpecker was investigating the possibilities of a Live Oak for a bounty of insects, or possibly for a new home. I am wild about woodpeckers so having a pair here is thrilling! To better enjoy this “Woodpecker Wednesday” series today, please click on the thumbnail image to see the larger version of the picture. Enjoy!
Eastern Blue Jay
Carolina Chickadee
Northern Mockingbird
Smaller birds have been visiting in my neighborhood recently. I tok these photographs on Oct. 8, 2013 and again on Oct. 9, 2013. We are likely seeing the first waves of migrating birds from up North.
I was happy to see a Carolina Chickadee, a Carolina Wren, Eastern Blue Jay, Northern Mockingbird, Red-bellied Woodpecker (one of a pair), and a bright Palm Warbler. I also have seen a pair of Eastern Bluebirds, and many Tufted Titmice, Common Crows around. These are all welcomed birds which I happily enjoyed! Please click on the thumbnail image to see the larger picture. Enjoy!
Palm Warbler
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Carolina Wren
A Red-bellied Woodpecker, a Downy Woodpecker, and a Red-headed Woodpecker are the subjects of todays woodpecker extravaganza! I took these pictures from my front yard (Red-bellied and Downy) and at the area near the front gate of this development (Red-headed) which is within a small pasture on the nearby ranch.
I was especially happy to have seen the little white and black female Downy Woodpecker here. It was just visiting. I had seen the Red-bellied Woodpecker here a few times in the last few months. I am just wild about woodpeckers! I took these pictures on two days last month. Please click on the thumbnail image to see the larger picture. Enjoy!
