The sky was so blue , and the sun felt warm...until I had walked to far and found my hands getting cold ... in my rush to get out I had forgotten to stick a pair of gloves in my pocket!! It is miserable trying to take photo's with gloves on ....you didn't think I left the camera home did you??
On the dead tree top near the river was the male Hairy Woodpecker!
I sometimes forget which one of the Woodpeckers it is ...
so my way to remember.. the Hairy has long head..long bill and is larger
then the Downy!!
He stopped long enough for me to get a shot against
that bright blue sky!!
He got to the top hammering away , but a stiff breeze
left him a little unkempt!!
At the river I stopped at the bridge hoping there might be some
open water, on a chance of seeing the ducks....no such luck
here, but the color of the sky gave the ice a lovely hue!!
As I started walking on the road that parallels mine I spotted the Eastern Blue BirdsIt was nice to see that they where still around, and finding insects to feed on!!
There was two of them an they would pop down.. pick up an insect
then back to there perch !!
The sun was right in my face so it was not great for taken photos so
I stayed and watched then for a bit !
Looking downhill toward the river!!
Here is the Downy Woodpecker...it could have cared less about my presence !!
Short head,short bill, and smaller...
I think this is a female...the red cap wasn't visable!!
Maybe he does care... I'm getting the look!!It was a nice start to 2012!!
Looks like a perfect day for a walk.
ReplyDeleteloved the shot of the skim of ice across the water. we get the downys here but never the hairys. nice to see them both!
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed taking that walk with you, and maybe now I've finally learned how to distinguish the hairy from the downy.
ReplyDeleteFantastic photos ! I took photos of the Downey Woodpecker the other day. I use the little black gloves the one size fits all you can get from the dollar store they are remarkably warm and they are great for using the camera with almost like a second skin if you will lol ! Have a wonderful day !
ReplyDeleteSuperb shots of the Woodpecker GG.
ReplyDeleteI really like the one of the frozen river to.
Odd that such a pretty looking woodpecker would get tagged with a name like Hairy. Maybe Feathery Woodpecker but Hairy?
ReplyDeleteFunny too is everytime I open up your blog the cursive writing must be throwing the translator for a loop as it identifies the wording as Afrikaans.
Hi Ruth..Thanks you so much !!
ReplyDeleteHi Teresa..thanks...the two are confusing!!
Hi Jean...maybe we will take one together someday for real...glad I could teach the teacher something : }!!
Hi Elaine...thanks and thanks for the glove tip!! : }
Hey Roy...thanks...glad you liked !!
Hi John...are you serious about the cursive??...I can never tell with you !!
Yes poor Hairy...I wonder where he got that from !
Thanks ..I think!! ; }
Great shots of your woodpeckers Grace--and it sure seemed warm and pleasant in those photos...SURE has been a werid winter so far eh?
ReplyDeletehad a cute little downy on my suet the other day...always enjoy seeing them!!
winter is wonderful for unobstructed views of our cute little feathered friends!! no leaves and clear views make for some awesome captures!!
ReplyDeleteWinter walks are lovely. I love the color of the wintery sky - if there is some blue showing that is. Very icy here of late making for slippery walks.
ReplyDeleteWunderbare Naturaufnahmen, danke!!!
ReplyDeleteLiebe Grüsse aus der Schweiz
Hans-Peter
Hi Grace. A nice winters walk you had?
ReplyDeleteLovely pictures of the Woodpeckers. (we've got a 'Hairy' that hangs out around here too!...lol)
The frozen river looks good too, ice skating maybe?
And good to see that the 'Blue Birds are still around...[;o)
What a great walk! Enjoy the "warmer" weather and sunshine while you can, the house work can wait!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful birds, the woodpeckers and blue birds. Nice photography.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a fun day out in nature. Love your woodpecker shots especially.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely day! I'm glad I stopped by and joined you. Your photos are excellent. I like the cursive writing on your blog. Gives it a more 'personal look'. Have a happy new year!! ~karen
ReplyDeleteGrace, I have had that happen to me too with no notification of new posts by someone I follow. Sometimes Blogger tells me I am following NO ONE. I just shut the works down, restart and usually it is okay. No, the writing is not difficult to read, I just thought it funny that it fooled the computer. Sorry I had to answer your e-mail this way but your e-mail comes in as a noreply-comment.
ReplyDeleteJohn
Super collection of photos Grace, and always love those birds. I'm glad you explained the difference between a Hairy and A Downy Woodpecker as I would be hard pressed to know the difference.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sondra...it is a weird winter for sure!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Debbie...one advantage to winter anyway : }
Hi Cicero...you be careful on that ice...look who's telling who lol
Thanks
Hans-Peter...thank you so very much!! : }
Hi Trevor...Ice skating ...not for awhile, and certainly not this gal!!
Thanks my friend!!
Hi Kathyrn...House work is always there your right
Thanks!!
Hi Bob...Nice to see you back..thanks!!
Thanks so much Scott!!
Hi Karen..I am glad you came by and mentioned the cursive ..I was wondering if people liked it or not!!
Thanks : }}
Hi John...hahaha!! Well we got that straightened out!!
My email is not on there to be seen!
Thanks my friend!!
Hi Denise..I couldn't figure them out either, but this has helped me ..it has to be simple..; }
Thanks so much!!
I get the downys here but never the bluebirds! Bummer.
ReplyDeleteHi Grace... What a wonderful walk and lovely images of your beautiful woodpeckers..
ReplyDeleteThe frozen river shows just how cold it is.many thanks for sharing your lovely countryside.
Take care xx
as to my blog...i have a huge love/hate relationship with my squirrels!!
ReplyDeleteHi Grace,
ReplyDeleteA lovely start to 2012.
What beautiful countryside you have around you.
Your woodpecker is very similar to our Greater Spotted Woodpecker.
I have them in the garden, but as soon as I raise the camera, they are gone :)
I find photographing birds very frustrating.
I love the stretch of ice......it is also nice to see the winter silhouette of the trees.
What a way to start the year! I really do like the Hairy Woodpecker, but I will have to admire them from your photos as I doubt that I will ever see one in real life!
ReplyDeleteJ
Follow me at HEDGELAND TALES
Grace, your photos are wonderful. I love both the woodies and the bluebirds. Lovely shot of the river. Great post and photos.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely walk. I can't believe you have bluebirds. I was up in Maine on Saturday. I found a huge flock of turkeys in turner, Maine right on Rt. 4!. I looked for other birds throughout Androscoggin and Franklin counties but only came up with a few species.
ReplyDelete