Sunday, January 25, 2009

Downy Woodpecker Gets a Makover

JANUARY, 25, 2009 JANUARY 25, 2009



January 25, 2009


November, 2008




Some of you may remember this picture I took of the downy in my yard. I was frustrated and frankly embarrassed by my lack of photography skills. A lot of you gave me tips and encouraged me to keep practicing and I did. Photography was something I dreaded. I was never any good at it even before birding. When people used to ask me to take their photo, I would tell them to find someone else because I would certainly mess up the photo.




Not anymore, now I love how the camera feels in my hands. I love the fact that I can capture the beauty of nature and wild life if only for a brief second. Another gift the birds have given me.





One interesting bit of information on the Downy's. The male in the pictures above loves my suet that I make for him and the others. The female on the other hand will only eat the raw, unprocessed suet I offer. In fact, she didn't even start visiting my yard until I stared putting out both varieties. Different strokes for different folks even for birds I guess.






And speaking of woodpeckers, I posted a week ago about a sound of a bird that I had never heard before. I stated that it sounded as if it were saying hawk and did it in approx. 10 repetitions and had the pitch of a monkey. Deborah over at Notes from the Cloud Messenger thought that it may be a nut hatch. I listened to the clip over at Cornell and it may very well be a nut hatch. I then found a sound clip of a pileated wood pecker over at The Aspetuck Land Trust Blog which sounded even more similar to the call. Thanks Christopher
for all of your informative woodpecker links.


What is most exciting about this is that I have two birds I have to see this year (besides the various warblers of course), and that is the bald eagle and the pileated woodpecker. If there is one across the street from my house I will be in heaven! I am going to go over there the next decent morning we have as that is when I heard it last. I was over there both today and yesterday and didn't hear it so I am thinking it lays low during the cold weather. For all I know it is indeed a nuthatch, but half the fun is finding out for yourself.

15 comments:

Shelley said...

You have made your Downy exceptionally handsome! I'm so happy that you're happy w/ your new camera!!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Huge difference in your two cameras, Kallen.. Congrats on the new one. Love your Downy pictures... AND I'm sure you'll see the Pileated soon!!!
Hugs,
Betsy

A New England Life said...

What a great improvement. Something you have to feel good about! You'll only get better as you get to know your camera more, believe me.

I was thinking the Pileated Woodpecker too from the way you described the sound. We had them all summer and fall but I haven't seen, or heard, any in quite a while now. Maybe they're staying closer to the bay or they're just quieter in the Winter, I don't know.

How I would LOVE to see a Bald Eagle too! I read that we have 74 in the state of NH with several in the seacoast area, but I have yet to see even one! What's the deal??? lol! Keep an eye to the sky!

jan m said...

Really nice photos Kallen! Your going to have fun with that camera.

Dawn Fine said...

What a difference a new camera makes!
You woodpecker had a makeover for sure!

Richard said...

Great Downy pictures. The more you get used to the camera, the more fun it is.

Jayne said...

Great job Kallen! The right camera makes ALL the difference. :c) The Pileateds I have heard have more of a Kuk-kuk-kuk-kuk sound that they make where the kuks get closer and closer together as the call ends.

troutbirder said...

You a really doing good. I've enjoyed seeing all the improvement. The new camera's sure make it all easier dong they?

Ruth said...

You are learning quickly with your new camera. Good luck finding your other birds.

Rich said...

In AK, we have lots of bald eagles. What I like about them is the quiet glide and the way they communicate with each other. They chatter back and forth like they are talking. Their size is pretty amazing as are the talons.

Have a good work week.

Jessica said...

Great Downy photos. I recently put a suet feeder right next to my window. So far the downy's are the only ones brave enough to visit it. They are so sweet!

FAB said...

Nice photo's of the Downy Kallen. Hope you catch up with a Pileated as I only got brief glimpses many years ago on a birding trip to US & no pics to show for the effort.

Alan Pulley said...

Wow, you have come along way! Excellent photos of the downy. Wish I had more woodpeckers at my feeders. Congrats!

Anonymous said...

You may be getting more than one downy at a time. I am so happy that your new camera is providing you with such fun...

Anonymous said...

Wow, look how far you've come! Woo-hoo! You're on your way now.

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails