Pileated Woodpecker – Page 2 – CrazyM Bird & Nature Photography

It has been longer than usual since my last post. An ongoing and urgent family medical situation has kept me busy when not working. A small window of opportunity opened up this afternoon I headed out to Reifel.

I used bird families in the title and the first up is Emberizidae. This large group includes Towhees, Sparrows, Juncos, Longspurs and Buntings. The two I managed to capture this afternoon were,

… this White-crowned Sparrow,

… and a Dark-eyed Junco. Both of which seem to be present in greater numbers the last couple of weeks. This is normal for this time of year and into the winter season. Still no sign or further reports of the White-throated Sparrow.

Next up, Picidae, or woodpeckers.

This Pileated Woodpecker was busy looking for insects in this old snag,

… while this Northern Flicker was foraging along the ground.

Last but not least Gruidae, or cranes. In this case Sandhill Cranes of which there were 36 in the outer ponds this afternoon. I think that is the highest count I have seen there. I got the following series of shots of a juveniles running taking off.

It was a nice break from what has been a hectic week or so.

After the down pour this morning, some chores around the house, I wanted to get out for a short walk before the Canucks game. Headed off to the South Arm Marshes, an area which I had not been to in some time. A good choice as it turns out.

After watching some Yellow-rumped and Wilson’s Warblers that were not cooperating for photos I heard the loud call of a bird I had not seen since last year.

A pair of Pileated Woodpeckers were moving between the trees. My first of this season and this one landed briefly in a good spot for a photo.

Then some movement up in the trees caught my attention. There were a couple of flycatchers hawking for insects. They were not calling and too distant at first to make out which species.

They did start landing and foraging a little closer, but the lighting was not great.

These were also my first flycatchers of the season, but even better,

… the first Pacific-slope Flycatcher photos I have been able to get. After the new addition to the photo list,

I managed this of a Bushtit arriving with some nesting material. Just wish the hockey game had gone as well as my walk.

Tag: Pileated Woodpecker

Emberizidae, Picidae & Gruidae

A Couple of Firsts & Another Sock