Friday, May 29, 2009

Red Bellied Woodpecker in the Elderberries

I have been watching the Elderberries. They are very pretty when they start to blossom.5.7.09 074cs

Then they get green berries.5.7.09 080cs

This particular bush is a favorite of the wild turkeys. The can reach most of the berries with just a few jumps. Most of the other bushes are too tall.5.7.09 083cs

I didn’t realize until today that the Elderberries are getting ripe. This Red Bellied Woodpecker stopped to eat a few. You can see a mix of green berries and the deep purple ripe ones.5.28.09c 031cs

After checking the bird book, I would think this is a female. The red doesn’t go over the top of the head.

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After a quick bite she joined a male in a nearby tree. It’s not a good photo but you can see the red covers the top of the head on the bird on the right.5.28.09c 037cs

I was able to get one more photo before they flew off.5.28.09c 038cs

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8 comments:

  1. ElaineMay 29, 2009 at 2:34 PM

    I really enjoyed this post. I like the progression of the blooms to berries, and then ending with the woodpecker eating the berries.

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  2. FABMay 29, 2009 at 4:35 PM

    Hi Carol. Any Woodpecker is a rarity in our garden. You are so lucky plus all those other colourful visitors.
    You recently left a comment & question re Digiscoping. I'm more than happy to offer some suggestions & help but need to know what equipment you currently have (camera, scope, tripod?). If you e-mail me DIRECT fabearlybirder@googlemail.com with your contact address I'll respond more fully & send some helpful website links. Cheers Frank

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  3. MontanagirlMay 29, 2009 at 6:39 PM

    Thank you for visiting my blog, and yours is great. Loved the Woodpecker photos. We only have the Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers (that I've seen, anyway!). Do visit me again, and I believe I'll follow your blog!

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  4. Faye May 29, 2009 at 9:02 PM

    Thanks for visiting my blog! You have great stuff here! Loved the Armadillo and the Iguana! I've always wanted to see a Painted Bunting in real life, you have some beautiful shots that'll have to do for me for awhile. We are currently stuck in Minnesota, the part of Wyoming we are moving to has much less snow. It snows very little and when it does, it's so light and fine that it blows away. It will be an improvement from this place! So you collect skulls and things like that? I'm not alone! I'll post them as I find them. Also, you have so many interesting sounding blog links that I'll be sure to check them out. Thanks so much!

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  5. Aunt "B's" BackyardMay 29, 2009 at 9:49 PM

    Hi Carol, thanks for the visit today!
    I didn't realize they were elderberries. Are they the edible type for human consumption too?
    I've seen them but thought they were poison.
    Nice shots of the RB Woodpecke! Here, they enjoy the suet and peanuts, if I get them and sunflower seeds.

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  6. QMay 29, 2009 at 11:46 PM

    The Red Bellied Woodpeckers are a delight to watch.
    I shall look for them in the Elderberries!
    Sherry

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  7. CarolMay 30, 2009 at 8:03 AM

    Aunt B, thanks for stopping by. Yes,elderberry pie, wine....I tried to make some once..pretty messy picking all those berries off. I'd rather let the birds have them. It's too hot to bake now anyways.

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  8. UnknownMay 30, 2009 at 1:08 PM

    Nice post capturing the birds at the Elderberries! I also didn't know that about the Wild Turkey jumping to reach the berries.

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Thanks so much for stopping by. I appreciate the time you take to make a comment......If you ask a question, I will try to answer it here.

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