Thursday, January 15, 2009

Northern Flicker

I was outside feeding the birds this morning when this beauty caught my eye.
At first I thought it was a Red Bellied but I soon realized it was a Flicker!!  And I just happened to have my camera around my neck.  What luck.  Check out the heart on the back of her head.  Isn't she beautiful?  I was snapping away a good 50 feet from her but then I got greedy and wanted some close ups.  I figured she would fly away but much to my amazement she let me get within 10 feet of her.  For a good 10 minutes she just let me have an amazing photo shoot with her.  
After I came in the house I looked up Flickers on the web and determined that she was a female because she doesn't have a black mustache like the males have.  I saw a Flicker twice this past summer but they were far away in the back yard on the ground where I couldn't get a photo of them.    
I'm so happy she stopped by.  She just made my morning!  

9 comments:

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Those pictures are just proof that one should always have a camera near.Lovely.
Blessings,Ruth

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Nice pictures of the Flicker, Jessica. I looked and saw that you didn't check out my woodpecker blog yesterday. Check it out if you have time; there are a couple of pictures of the Northern Flicker on it.

Hugs,
Betsy

Anonymous said...

I haven't seen a flicker before. You tooks some great pictures there.

Cliff said...

Always good to see the beauty of God's kingdom against such a backdrop.

Jen said...

That little heart design on her head is cute.

Shelley said...

So many beautiful photos of the Flicker!!

Anonymous said...

She knew she was beautiful and ought to be in pictures. :-)

Minerva said...

I've seen flickers along the road going into my neighborhood. I figured out what they were by the black bib in front. But they've always been head-on views. I've never seen the read heart! Thanks for those great shots!

Mary said...

How amazing that she let you get so close! I love the red heart on the head! Terrific that you had your camera with you....I don't usually take mine out when I fill the feeders..may have to rethink that after seeing these!