Downy woodpeckers are our smallest woodpecker, and common throughout North America, I'm just learning right now reading the account in Cornell's
All About Birds. I put up a new cake of suet a couple of days ago, and this male has been avidly visiting.
He's not too skittish, so even on a grey morning with minimal light, I was able to get this shot, before he finally decided to retreat to the nearby dogwood, and fuss mildly. He did the 'whinny' call that you can hear on All About Birds.
The photo's blurry because the light levels were low and my lens isn't that long, but it's recognizable, thanks to the digital darkroom!
His bright red patch on the back of his head is an attractive contrast to his black and white feathers.
A goldfinch on the thistle feeder caught my eye from the study window.
When I went outside, I heard a woodpecker up in the oak tree, and saw him finally. Then, he dropped down to get some suet.
Then, looking back towards the feeders, I saw a male hummingbird, getting a long couple of swallows, then the male goldfinch back on the thistle feeder. Shortly after that, a female goldfinch came to the feeder, followed by another male. Then, they all flew off.
It was a lovely way to spend a few minutes in the garden.
