Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Yellow Shafted Flicker

                                                       A male Yellow-Shafted Flicker

                                                             came into the garden.

                                               
                                                                   He was hunting for ants

                                                                    and a dirt bath.



                                                             I am so happy I had both.


                                                I was surprised he was able to find dirt.
                                                           We have had lots of rain.
                                                        Another storm is on the way.



15 comments:

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

What a neat series of photos! Flickers are such dramatic looking birds.

Rose said...

Thanks for sharing these photos, Sherry. What a pretty bird--I've never seen one before. We have lots of mud right now, too; the rains don't seem to be letting up any time soon.

Cathy said...

Lol on the first picture, he looks like he was carved out of wood. And as always, excellent photos.

www.thequietone.net

Wendy said...

Ohhh, he's lovely! Such good pics too! Thanks for sharing. I've never seen a yellow-shafted flicker.

T@iy@ said...

I have always wanted to get a Flicker in our yard! That and a Pileated Woodpecker. My parents have a pileated living in their woods(can tell by the holes it creates in the dead trees), but i have never seen either of them! Love your photos! So beautifuL!

Designs on 47th Street said...

I think we may get flickers but I can't be sure. Do they hang onto the suet as well as eating ants? I've never seen him take a dirt bath, however. The ones I've seen have the polka dotted breast like your pictures.

Oh, I still have so much to learn about birding. Thanks for the great photos and info you share with us.

Randy Emmitt said...

Great series of photos on one of my favorite birds. I can't recall the last time we had these in the garden. Likely just heard them in the woods.

marmee said...

what a great looking bird...so glad he found you...to have a bath and dine.i have never seen one of these beauties.
oh dh and i were counting species today...i think we counted 31. isn't it all so fascinating how many types of birds there are.

Mary said...

You get the best birds, Sherry!

Cheryl said...

Dear Sherry....he is a handsome chap.....we have a green woodpecker here that comes into the garden for the ants. I have never been able to capture it, I don't know how you manage to get such lovely photographs........

Beautiful post.....

Nan and =^..^= said...

Those are absolutely beautiful photos of the flicker! What a delight to see them!

Lisa at Greenbow said...

OMG Sherry. This is one of my favorite posts of yours. Did you know this is my most favorite bird? I feel it is my totem. WONDERFUL photos.

I am still on vacation. Just trying to read a bit before going to bed. I will have too much to chatch up on when I return.

Cheers.

Juliet said...

Ooh, I obviously need a yellow shafted flicker - I have far too many ants! Another lovely bird we dont have over here - thank you for introducing me to it :-D

Dawn Fine said...

I am loving your photos! Great series!

Dawn Fine said...

Beautiful photos of the flowers Mike. Did you digiscope them as well?