Friday, May 13, 2011

My New Friend

I love birds and I think Woodpeckers are simply such impressive little birds.

I was so excited when this little woodpecker showed up a couple of weekends ago at our front window, just knocking away. I truly thought someone was knocking at our door! My little friend keeps coming back! I'm thrilled that he's gets up so close and personal, I'm able to get some great photographs, well, I think they are great!

I felt particularly lucky to photograph more of my friend, this past weekend! I won't show you all of them, you would be here way too long!

This first three photographs was taking seconds after he started knocking!




I got right up to the window and looked straight at him~ It was so exciting!
 

Then he got wind that he was being photographed! But stayed around for more, little buddy loved being the star!


Look, he's posing!
 I just think he is beautiful!

 Was shocked how he can just hold on!

 Beautiful pose~

 Saw me!
 Another pose...what a cutie to make me so happy!

 He was back yesterday!! I'm loving my new friend!

Anyhow, he's my little buddy!

 A bit of trivia for you!



Did you know?

That woodpecker's strong, pointed beak acts as both a chisel and a crowbar to remove bark and find hiding insects? It has a very long tongue, up to four inches in some species - with a glue-like substance on the tip for catching insects.

Did You Know?

Woodpeckers have bristle-like feathers over their nostrils help to keep wood particles from being inhaled?

Did you know?

While most birds have one toe pointing back and three pointing forward on each foot, woodpeckers have two sharply clawed toes pointing in each direction to help them grasp the sides of trees and balance while they hammer - this formation is called zygodactal feet.

Did you know?

Woodpeckers have bristle-like feathers over their nostrils help to keep wood particles from being inhaled.

Did you know?

# Between feeding, excavating nest cavities and drumming, woodpeckers can peck up to 20 times per second, or a total of 8,000-12,000 pecks per day.

Did you know?


Woodpeckers don't get headaches from pecking. They have reinforced skulls structured to spread the impact force, and their brains are tightly cushioned and protected.

Did you know?

Most woodpeckers have a distinct undulating flight consisting of a few rapid wing beats followed by a quick glide when the wings are tucked against the body rather than spread like many other birds.

Did you know?

The average life span of a wild woodpecker can last from 4-11 years, depending on the species.

Did you know?

The most well known woodpecker is the fictional Woody Woodpecker, created by artist Ben "Bugs" Hardaway in 1940. Despite his popularity, however, Woody Woodpecker is not a distinct woodpecker species


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Can you see my buddy?

I'll be back with more, drop back in sometime if you wish to see more of my buddy! 
I so hope he comes back to see me~


27 comments:

  1. I LOVE this post! AND the info as well as the great pics! We have woodpeckers in our big elm tree---and the power pole behind the gazebo---and the dead tree in the yard next to us that leans up to our fence. I was happy to read they live 4-11 years. That confirms these are old buddies of ours who live here year after year! I try to get pics of ours but I am not so good with a camera!
    Looking forward to more postings!!
    Birds of a feather, you know!!

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  2. Thanks for stopping by my blog. I appreciate the comments. Your pictures here are really amazing what a treat to get up close and personal with our feathered friends.

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  3. How fun. Your pictures are super and you have such interesting information. Hope he stays around to entertain you. Cute. Hugs, Marty

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  4. he's beautiful! love that yellow patch!

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  5. I love birds. You got some really good shots of this little feller! All that you told us was very interesting. When I worked for the USDA, we had a woodpecker that stayed in a tree just outside our office and we had so much fun watching him. He was not nearly as pretty as yours though. I so enjoyed the pictures that you took.

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  6. I am a bird-watcher too:) I love taking pictures and zooming in close! Your little friend is too sweet and posing as if he knew you would be sharing his beauty with your friends!

    Have a blessed day dear Nancy, HUGS!

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  7. We have a couple of woodpeckers in our trees. I consider them part of the family and listen for the sound of pecking every spring. Do you happen to know if they leave and return..or just stay?
    Love your images. He looks like he's dressed in a Woolrich jacket. Hmmm...maybe he's their inspiration.
    Debbie

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  8. Hi Nancy, I love bird watching too. You took some amazing photos of the woodpecker. Aren't his markings amazing? Hope you have a great weekend.

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  9. I didn't know most of those facts. I love Woodpeckers until they peck on the house. I thought they might get headaches from it - I do. I thought it was a mating call.

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  10. It's great to have a little friend until he pecks a hole through the wood on your house. Hopefully he'll stick with trees. Great facts about these little known birds.

    Joyce
    http://joycelansky.blogspot.com

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  11. I'm a lover of birds too and you did get some great shots. Thanks for stopping by today I'm so glad you had a great laugh.
    Nancy

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  12. Nancy,
    Wonderful photos. I cannot seem to get pictures of birds. I will try harder this year!

    Carol

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  13. Hi Nancy! I love seeing your new little friend! Woodpeckers are so pretty! Isn't he a little doll and peeping in your windows. Love that. I enjoyed your facts about them too. I haven't seen one in person in such a long time and your little friend is one of the prettiest I've ever seen.
    I'm doing my Woody the Woodpecker laugh now! :)
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  14. i wish my brain was packed more tightly,
    and more cushioned like a woodpecker!!!

    i used to love woody woodpecker. and i can just see you hiding in the bushes while trying to get these great images.

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  15. Hi Nancy...thanks for visiting my blog. I hope your little buddy sticks around. I also hope he doesn't start pecking at your house! We had one a few years ago that pecked at the overhang on our roof...we had to have it all replaced! He is a cutie though...hope your weekend is going great. We have rain, rain, and more rain! ~Ann

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  16. What a fun visitor. We have some here but I have great difficulty taking snaps of them. ♥O

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  17. I love the photo where he is looking in the window at you! He is too cute!

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  18. Your buddy's so cute, Nancy! I love woodpeckers. We have red breasted ones in the yard. Thanks for the little education...Christine

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  19. Hi Nancy! Thanks for coming over to my blog and for following me! And thanks for your sweet comment! Birds are beautiful! How precious the nature around us is! Hope your day is lovely!

    xx Kristin

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  20. Now is that a cute fella or what? We usually have a woodpecker or two around our yard each year. In fact, saw one at the feeder the other day. They sometimes peck at the side of our house...not great right outside your bedroom on a Sat. a.m.! Thanks so much for coming by and commenting on my blog. It is definitely a work in progress! Please come again.

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  21. He is a pretty bird. No - I did not know all that about a woodpecker. i don't think I have every seen one of the white ones around here. Thanks for sharing it with us.
    Thanks for stopping by and nice comment.
    Have a great week.

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  22. Hi Nancy! Now I can't wait for that post! :)
    Be a sweetie,
    shelia ;)

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  23. I don't think I knew any of these things. I hardly ever see a woodpecker, I hear one every once in a while too. We usually have the green variety here.
    Love all of your pictures of your little friend. He sure knew what his good side was!

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  24. Hi Nancy,

    What a gorgeous woodpecker! I hear them near my home, but they never come close enough to photograph. I enjoyed your woodpecker trivia. Have a great day!

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  25. Oh now, that is just too sweet! :)

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  26. Woodpeckers don't get headaches from pecking. They have reinforced skulls structured to spread the impact force, and their brains are tightly cushioned and protected.

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  27. Such pretty pictures, so amazed you could capture him so well! And I didn't know any of those things...thanks so much for sharing! Hope he comes back time and time again :)

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I love your comments!
Nancy