Posts Tagged ‘woodpecker’

I heard this woodpecker making quite a racket, so I headed out to investigate.  I finally found him, but it was difficult to get close enough to get a good picture.

The nuttals and the ladder-backed woodpeckers are very similar in appearance, but I think that it’s markings and bill length indicate that it is a nuttals woodpecker.  On this identification I used Whatbird.com; I’ve found it accurate and simple to use.

nuttalls woodpecker on oak tree

I’m pulling off on a road through the Pacific coast foothills. I need a cup of coffee, so I find a place to stop. As I’m pouring my coffee, I spot some interesting activity on a tree just ahead. I can’t tell what it is; at first I think that it is a gray squirrel. Then I notice something bright red! It’s some kind of woodpecker. I want to get a photograph of it.
Now it’s on the opposite side of the tree, so I wait for it to move around. However, as usual, I rapidly grow impatient. So now, with  camera in hand, I get out of the vehicle and walk closer to the tree in order to get a better view. Surprise! surprise! I do get a better view– as he flies away!
Interestingly enough, when I return to this spot at a later date there he is on the same tree. But alas, secretive little devil that he is, I miss a second photo opportunity. Down the road though, I do get a photo of a woodpecker on a utility pole. I think this one is an acorn woodpecker. It may be the same kind, but I’m not convinced. I’ll come back to that tree another time.

Some new pictures of this secretive little woodpecker.