I have made friends with the female Flicker over the last two winters. At the end of last year, I looked outside to see a male sitting right outside my door. We startled each other, he flew away, and I didn't see him again... until... this winter he has frequented my backyard often. Sometimes alone, but often with her. They will take turns venturing down into the yard. He is much more skittish than she is but she used to be that way until I earned her trust so I'm hopeful. Anyhow, it makes it very hard to get a good shot of him. This isn't the greatest but it is special because it was during one of their song and dance acts. They went on and on for about an hour, calling to each other, flying to where the other was perched, only to have the other fly off to a new spot... very obviously playing hard to get. I was super stoked to have gotten them together. I'm glad they found each other.
