I keep the peanut and suet feeders full specifically for these guys. They are quite tame, and seldom leave even when I am filling the feeders.
They are about 7 inches high, and have an undulating flight which is easy to recognize.
We also get the larger Hairy Woodpecker that looks very similar to this guy.
You have done brilliantly well to get a shot of such a small bird. I have even more respect for your pictures after today's first attempts at bird watching in response to your challenge. I just wanted to let you know I am working on it!
You will notice that I haven't mentioned actually posting a picture to 365. I'd forgotten just how canny the little blighters are.
Set up camera out of sight inside & my normal garden visitors disappeared. In desperation I shot a far off pigeon and a female blackbird that visited the bird bath when it really was too dark. Nothing quite worked out. I'll be trying again.
It was deja vu for me. They do a thing called the Great British Birdwatch here & I've done it a couple of times. My garden is normally (despite the cats) regularly visited by many birds, but as soon as I sit down for an hour to watch (sitting well back from the windows) they seem to know & just don't turn up, as the clock strikes the hour they turn up again.
I really helps that I have a ton of bird feeders that need filling every second day so they know me and don't usually fly too far. They do have a comfort zone where even I can only get so close - but I have fun trying to get photos of them. Not always successful, I might add!
Anyway, have fun - try feeding the pigeons or seagulls ... (or recruit someone to do that) that usually works.
We also have a bird count here - usually on New Year's Day. I have never participated. I am doing the bird thing because I want to remember the types of birds that visit here if I ever move away.
You have done brilliantly well to get a shot of such a small bird. I have even more respect for your pictures after today's first attempts at bird watching in response to your challenge. I just wanted to let you know I am working on it!
You will notice that I haven't mentioned actually posting a picture to 365. I'd forgotten just how canny the little blighters are.
Set up camera out of sight inside & my normal garden visitors disappeared. In desperation I shot a far off pigeon and a female blackbird that visited the bird bath when it really was too dark. Nothing quite worked out. I'll be trying again.
It was deja vu for me. They do a thing called the Great British Birdwatch here & I've done it a couple of times. My garden is normally (despite the cats) regularly visited by many birds, but as soon as I sit down for an hour to watch (sitting well back from the windows) they seem to know & just don't turn up, as the clock strikes the hour they turn up again.
Anyway, have fun - try feeding the pigeons or seagulls ... (or recruit someone to do that) that usually works.
We also have a bird count here - usually on New Year's Day. I have never participated. I am doing the bird thing because I want to remember the types of birds that visit here if I ever move away.