Tuesday, February 5, 2013

~~The Suet Argument~~~

Yesterday a  argument between two Hairy Woodpeckers became very vocal, and got my attention, over who was going to hog the suet feeder!

This is the Male Hairy Woodpecker, the winner of the argument !!
They are very similar to the Downy Woodpecker, but are a larger bird
averaging  9-13 inches where as the Downy is 6-8 inches long!!


This is the Female Hairy Woodpecker !!
She still has a bit of suet on her long chisel like bill ,which is one way to tell
them from the Downy Woodpecker which has a shorter daintier bill!! 

"Hey " I was here first .....
She is sitting on the rail of the deck, something I have never seen one 
do before, and looking like her feet are a little out of place  , 
since they always seem to be in a vertical position !!

Look at those feet , they need something to cling to  : )
She got here change at the suet, but she was willing to share with a Nuthatch!

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42 comments:

  1. TexWisGirlFebruary 5, 2013 at 12:45 PM

    they sure are cute. again, would be a great link up to wild bird wednesday today!

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  2. Findlay WildeFebruary 5, 2013 at 1:04 PM

    They are really nice looking woodpeckers. From Findlay

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  3. TexWisGirlFebruary 5, 2013 at 1:28 PM

    (you should add a note that you are linking to Wild Bird Wednesday and include the link to Stewart's blog if you can. :))

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  4. Country Gal February 5, 2013 at 1:52 PM

    Awesome photos ! We have a few of both breeds here and they often argue over the three suet's I have for them ! Have a good day !

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  5. TexWisGirlFebruary 5, 2013 at 1:59 PM

    (when you filled in the blanks, you must have filled in your actual name instead of grammie g or whatever you'd like. you can go back and delete it by clicking on the 'x' below your entry and try again if you like.)

    i don't have your email address or i'd be emailing you back. :(

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  6. UnknownFebruary 5, 2013 at 2:07 PM

    Fun post!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

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  7. HansHBFebruary 5, 2013 at 2:10 PM

    Nice serie of photos of this cute bird!
    Well done!

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  8. JohnFebruary 5, 2013 at 2:20 PM

    Nice captures- you certainly get variety in your yard.

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  9. Muffy's MarksFebruary 5, 2013 at 2:22 PM

    Cute birds, and a cute story to go with it!!! Love the photos!

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  10. Phil SladeFebruary 5, 2013 at 2:48 PM

    Brilliant close-up shots Grace. I guess you got those by sitting on your porch again eh? Who needs a vacation when they have all those fabulous birds at the back door huh? Keep snapping and have fun Grace, I'll be watching.

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  11. ShySongbirdFebruary 5, 2013 at 2:52 PM

    What lovely photos Grace. I love the female, sooo sweet :-) You have some wonderful close views of them, how did you get so close, do you have a very long lens?

    I loved that little Black-eyed Junco on the last post too :-)

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  12. Ruth HiebertFebruary 5, 2013 at 3:25 PM

    They definitely look more graceful sitting on a branch. Those feet look like they don't know which direction to go .

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  13. mickFebruary 5, 2013 at 3:40 PM

    Great photos. Bird arguments are such fun to watch!

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  14. Lois EvensenFebruary 5, 2013 at 4:49 PM

    What sweet little birds. :) Nice shots.

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  15. LarryFebruary 5, 2013 at 5:33 PM

    Incredible close ups of the Hairy Woodpeckers Grammie! They sure are cuties!

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  16. AngieFebruary 5, 2013 at 5:44 PM

    Awesome photos :)

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  17. AnonymousFebruary 5, 2013 at 5:48 PM

    Love the Hairy! We don't see that many in my area, so I get a bit excited when I do.

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  18. eileeninmdFebruary 5, 2013 at 6:20 PM

    Great shots of the Hairy, Grace! I see the Downy at my feeders more than the Hairy. Cool visitors!

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  19. NancyFebruary 5, 2013 at 8:45 PM

    She is a cute thing but I agree her feet are in a very awkward position....I guess she's like all women having to wait her turn..hahahaha

    Really great shots....

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  20. SondraFebruary 5, 2013 at 8:59 PM

    Here we have a female feeding on the suet everyday...she has to share with chickadees, nuthatches and even a cardinal was having a go at it this morning. Excellent shots of your birdies!!!!

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  21. Stewart MFebruary 6, 2013 at 2:40 AM

    Great post - I am very jealous of people who have woodpeckers in their gardens - but I suppose you feel the same way about parrots!

    Cheers and thanks for linking to WBW.

    Stewart M - Melbourne

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  22. Carole M.February 6, 2013 at 3:07 AM

    they're simply adorable; beautiful photographs Grace

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  23. Roy NorrisFebruary 6, 2013 at 6:09 AM

    Super images GG.

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  24. grammie gFebruary 6, 2013 at 10:02 AM

    Thanks Teresa...: )

    Thanks Findlay : )


    Thanks Elaine : )

    Thanks Gary : )


    Thanks HanHB : )


    Thank you John.. : )


    Thanks You Muffy : )


    Thanks Phil.yup I did! : )


    Thanks Jan..yes I do, shoot hand held right through the windows : ) I have a 75-300 lens ..I am Canon girls ; )


    Thanks Ruth.. they do look out of place : )


    Thanks Mick for coming by for WBW
    Yes great entertainment: )


    Thanks Lois : )


    Thanks Larry...They are wonderful to watch! : )

    Thanks Angie : )


    Thanks Steve...They are quite striking I can see why you
    would : )


    Thank you Eileen...: )


    Thank You Nancy...yup your
    right : )


    Thanks you so much Sondra..Keep then fed : )!!


    Thanks so much Stewart for hosting and coming by my WBW post..ya we all have our envies : )


    Thank you Carol..: )


    Thank you Roy..I've tried to pick up some pointers from a friend ; )

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  25. grammie gFebruary 6, 2013 at 10:02 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  26. The HeraldFebruary 6, 2013 at 10:03 AM

    High Grace...Super post and cracking images. The female looks a little bewildered sitting on that hand rail, a bit like a fish out of water!...or should that be a bird out of a tree?...[;o)

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  27. grammie gFebruary 6, 2013 at 10:04 AM

    Thank you Trevor...Ya one of the other haha ; )

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  28. DebbieFebruary 6, 2013 at 11:28 AM

    so cute, these are really good!!

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  29. JackieFebruary 6, 2013 at 12:30 PM

    I am definitely following Grammie's blog. I have been chasing woodpeckers for the last couple of weeks.

    These are great shots. I love the little guys.

    I haven't posted shots of mine yet. I am hoping to get some better shots than I have.

    They seem to be playing hide and seek with me. I can hear them but as soon as they see me they dart behind the tree.

    You got some great shots and I have enjoyed them immensely!

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  30. KathrynFebruary 6, 2013 at 12:48 PM

    Great Hairy photos! My suet dispute this morning was between 5 Northern Flickers and 1 Downy! That little Downy held his own for a good while! Then a big Black-billed Magpie flew in and spoil the fun for everyone!

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  31. MaryFebruary 6, 2013 at 12:57 PM

    Wow...great photos of the Hairy woodpeckers! The female looks very cute sitting there. I have several downys that get very territorial over the suet, even though I have at least 3 suet cages hanging up. Lately I have had a male Hairy stopping by. I don't see them very often and haven't gotten shots as good as these.

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  32. DeniseinVAFebruary 6, 2013 at 3:51 PM

    Wonderful pictures of the woodpeckers. I love watching them and get the same kind out back but have never gotten a photo up close like these.

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  33. JenniferFebruary 6, 2013 at 6:29 PM

    Nice photos of those super cool birds! I love the bird feed image. It really shows what they are made for!

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  34. NeilFebruary 6, 2013 at 6:57 PM

    Great series interesting looking feet.

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  35. Vores haveFebruary 7, 2013 at 7:20 AM

    Lovely pictures!
    Thank you for sharing) Hanne Bente

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  36. Mary Howell CromerFebruary 7, 2013 at 8:15 AM

    Love these, such sweet little one and great images!

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  37. ReenaFebruary 7, 2013 at 8:30 PM

    I don't think I've ever seen one on my deck wall. Unusual for her to sit there. But great photos!

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  38. Kathie BrownFebruary 7, 2013 at 9:49 PM

    Ahhh, Hairys! They are always so cute! I love woodpeckers. I don't see either species here in AZ unless I go far north to the Mountains!

    Stay safe and warm in that blizzard tomorrow!

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  39. Beatrice P. BoydFebruary 9, 2013 at 7:42 AM

    The show from outdoors is always better than anything indoors on a screen as you always show us, Grace. Great closeups of these good looking birds. Hope you are safe and warm and waiting to see snow shots soon!

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  40. Tammy@Simple Southern HappinessFebruary 11, 2013 at 6:45 AM

    These are cute pictures, good to know the difference. Now when they come here for feeding I will know.

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  41. LasseFebruary 13, 2013 at 2:00 AM

    Hi Grace, great story and pictures !

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  42. DeniseinVAFebruary 13, 2013 at 7:11 AM

    Fabulous photos Grace. Have a great day!

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