Red Head: I especially like the last one.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

I especially like the last one.

(Download)

damurphy Loc: Medusa NY

Excellent!

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

Wow... very impressive. But, how did you talk him into posing for you? 👍😁👍

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Gitchigumi wrote:

Wow... very impressive. But, how did you talk him into posing for you? 👍😁👍

Thank you. They respond well to bribes.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

damurphy wrote:

Excellent!

Thanks Murphy.

sourdough58 Loc: Maine

beautiful, impressive.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

Beautiful Woodpecker, well done...

MJKilpatrick Loc: Cape May, NJ

hi joer, I also like the third because it illustrates behavior versus the static portrait. That is not to say there is anything unlikable about the static portrait other than, for me, behavior catches my attention more when it comes to birds. Woodpeckers in general have very acute hearing ability but I have found it especially true with the Red-headed woodpecker and it appears to me your Red-headed Woodpecker is listening. I image it was foraging and they often will turn their ears to a limb or tree.......sometimes after pecking a bit, sometimes before pecking and sometimes listening, pecking, listening, pecking in sequence. They can hear the slightest sounds of movement by grubs and insects in the trees. They use hearing to locate food in the trees more than eyesight. I think this is what the bird is doing in your third shot. I have also observed these woodpeckers pecking slightly in different rhythms on the exterior of nesting holes and then listening. Most of this pecking is extremely soft and not easily heard by us.......they are communicating with the bird sitting inside the cavity and the bird inside pecks back. Many times I have seen the bird on the exterior peck softly, then put the side of its head right up against the tree waiting for the response of the bird inside the cavity. They seem to have their own version of Morse code. Very cool to capture this listening behavior. The Red-headed woodpecker stands out from other woodpeckers on two other areas of behavior. They are one of the only woodpeckers that will forage a lot on the ground (similar to that of a flicker) and they are incredible at chasing prey on the wing. At a distance, when they chase prey on the wing they are reminiscent of the grace and control of a flycatcher yet stronger and faster on the wing....and they are very efficient at foraging this way. If you are onto a Red-headed Woodpecker, as it appears you are, keep an eye out for these two unique behavior habits.........if you see them you may get an opportunity to add a few more unique behavioral shots to you collection. With My Best.....

rmm0605 Loc: Atlanta GA

joer wrote:

I especially like the last one.

These are terrific photos--all of them. I would say they're "definitive" for the species!

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

All three are great captures but number one is beyond great for me. The detail is outstanding and the bird is magnificent.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

sourdough58 wrote:

beautiful, impressive.

Thank you very much.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

rmorrison1116 wrote:

Beautiful Woodpecker, well done...

Your comments are appreciated.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

MJKilpatrick wrote:

hi joer, I also like the third because it illustrates behavior versus the static portrait. That is not to say there is anything unlikable about the static portrait other than, for me, behavior catches my attention more when it comes to birds. Woodpeckers in general have very acute hearing ability but I have found it especially true with the Red-headed woodpecker and it appears to me your Red-headed Woodpecker is listening. I image it was foraging and they often will turn their ears to a limb or tree.......sometimes after pecking a bit, sometimes before pecking and sometimes listening, pecking, listening, pecking in sequence. They can hear the slightest sounds of movement by grubs and insects in the trees. They use hearing to locate food in the trees more than eyesight. I think this is what the bird is doing in your third shot. I have also observed these woodpeckers pecking slightly in different rhythms on the exterior of nesting holes and then listening. Most of this pecking is extremely soft and not easily heard by us.......they are communicating with the bird sitting inside the cavity and the bird inside pecks back. Many times I have seen the bird on the exterior peck softly, then put the side of its head right up against the tree waiting for the response of the bird inside the cavity. They seem to have their own version of Morse code. Very cool to capture this listening behavior. The Red-headed woodpecker stands out from other woodpeckers on two other areas of behavior. They are one of the only woodpeckers that will forage a lot on the ground (similar to that of a flicker) and they are incredible at chasing prey on the wing. At a distance, when they chase prey on the wing they are reminiscent of the grace and control of a flycatcher yet stronger and faster on the wing....and they are very efficient at foraging this way. If you are onto a Red-headed Woodpecker, as it appears you are, keep an eye out for these two unique behavior habits.........if you see them you may get an opportunity to add a few more unique behavioral shots to you collection. With My Best.....

hi joer, I also like the third because it illustra... (show quote)

Thanks for looking Your post is enlightening.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

rmm0605 wrote:

These are terrific photos--all of them. I would say they're "definitive" for the species!

Thank you very much.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Cwilson341 wrote:

All three are great captures but number one is beyond great for me. The detail is outstanding and the bird is magnificent.

Thank you very much Carol.