Felicity ShouldersFirst sapsucker of the year! And a lifer, Greater SCAUP! #WildForWoodpeckers #birding #oregon #liferBird
Inscribed upon my heart are the words “There might be woodpeckers there!”
Was lucky enough to watch a downy woodpecker pair foraging around some willows today: squawking to summon each other at times and moving silently, intent on their hunt, at others.
The female, moreover, seems to be leucistic?! Her wingtips, rather than being dark/black with white spots, sport an ombré from espresso to caffe latte! First photo is of her mate, to show a more usual plumage.
My Bird Patch of the Month arrived and it matches my first woodpecker of the year!
My first woodpecker of the year is a Downy! Arrived like a gift when I had my car door open to leave. 😭 The beautiful little creature!
Every woodpecker is the sweetest and the best*, but Lewis's give me a particular thrill!
*Includes sapsuckers. Flickers don't need my approval and don't have it.
#WildForWoodpeckers #CentralOR #BirdPhotography
(Both photos from June 2025)
Looking through June photos, it turns out I actually saw another Williamson's Sapsucker 45 minutes before the one I gushed about below! The rare case of a *fellow* being ignored, but a lady being seen and appreciated for the same contribution when she repeats it. 😜
(To her credit, she -- photos 1 and 2 -- was not only much more clearly not a Hairy Woodpecker than he was -- photo 3 — but also closer and more willing to pose!)
#Birding #WildForWoodpeckers #BirdPhotography
https://pie.gd/@faerye/114643744258706744
BTW, in my unrealistic heart of hearts I WAS hoping for a pileated sighting today, but I assumed #MerlinApp would have jinxed it for me.
I didn't manage to see the pileated when it was calling, but a few minutes later it was making so much noise throwing around chunks of snag wood that I got to see it too!
