I reduced the pixel size on these and they are not as fun as they are in the original size, but I was so excited to see three of these flickers visit the bird bath in December. They are timid and usually remain in the woods. As you can see the sky was snowing and it was COLD which is evident from their puffy chests. Their coloring reminds me of a gentlemen in silk pajamas with a nice black velvet ascot and some kind of red velvet sleeping cap...something from the era of Charles Dickens. Under their wings like a silk lining of a smoking jacket is a striking golden yellow color that only appears when they fly. They are large birds...as big as the biggest woodpeckers and that intimidating bill keeps the smaller birds away.
Be sure to click on the last photo for a closer look! There is a tropical fish in the Pacific that is colored in a similar manner with a belt and polka-dot bottom half like these birds. It is a
cardinal fish. When I lived in the South Pacific I always called them my pajama fish and I cannot think of this bird without thinking of the fish and the fish without the bird...odd person that I am.
what beautiful markings...like that splach of red as well...great capture...
ReplyDeleteThose are wonderful pics. Tabor. What a treat to see these birds so close.
ReplyDeleteWhat a thrill to see 3 flickers together and so close! Your photos are wonderful, and I like your imaginative description of their coloring :)
ReplyDeleteI was excited to count 8 cardinals at the feeders on Friday. I've seen lots of bluejays and 4 cardinals on this snowy morning, plus numerous other birds. Snow showers always bring lots of activity.
Gorgeous!and i love your descriptions. With their bright colors, and the holly, they remind me of people posing in their new Christmas finery, matching sweaters and hats. :)
ReplyDeleteI love those birds! When I lived in my trailer I woke up to my cats making a commotion at the window. There were two flickers on the chain link fence bordering my yard with an open field. It was the first time I'd ever seen flickers - had to get the bird book! - and I never seen them in that neighborhood again, and I lived there ten years! They hung around quite awhile, though - I was able to get outside and have a better look at them and everything.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots!
When Barry and I lived in Callendar (home of the Dionne Quintuplets) we had a silver maple tree in our back yard. Every spring the flickers would come and do a mating dance under this tree... it was hysterical. What a dance! Bobbing and waltzing and flashing their colors. It went on for three days every year. When we noticed them around, we'd invite friends over for a BBQ. Oh Tabor, you have brought back so many memories. =D
ReplyDeleteYou have such beautiful birds around you and the photos are stunning.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful - I see nothing like this in my dreary woods :) or maybe I need a different camera!
ReplyDeletesplendid - both birds and photos!
ReplyDeleteWow.. they're beauties, aren't they? I've never seen one before. Your photos are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteSplendid photographs! Up close and personal, I doubt I would see so well in person.
ReplyDeleteFabulous pictures, Tabor. I love the Northern Flickers and you are lucky to get 3 of them in the same picture. WOW!!!!
ReplyDeleteLooks like one male and two females--if I saw them correctly in the pictures... The males have black mustaches and the females do not.
Great pictures... Thanks!!!
Hugs,
Betsy
Man, Tabor, these are AWESOME photos! I occasionally see the Flickers but have never seen on near the birdbath. Oh, I just love watching the birds and critters, and spending hours checking out everyelse's blog to see what they have captured with their camera. :D So we will shovel the *&(* ummm dirt out come Spring, right? :D No time to worry about a dirty, messy house when there are all of those little creatures to entertain us. :D
ReplyDeleteoh, Tabor ~ thank you . I've never seen them in real life before. They are gorgeous.
ReplyDelete