Got up late. Looked out the window: a female Northern Flicker! The spots were hard to see in the shadows and I had to go check with a birding friend to be sure. I’ve only seen them a few times before. Picture a woodpecker that often doesn’t actually peck wood, rather, it likes to stride through the grass stabbing at insects on the ground, which is what this one was doing.
You have to love a bird that looks like it’s sporting a sock-monkey’s smile.
Got the last of the to-go presents wrapped. Richard mailed them. Collapsed and read cover-to-cover the book “Avian Architecture” that Richard-the-younger and Kim gave me for my birthday. Way cool stuff in there; I could rattle on all day now about bird structures! Who knew a bird colony on a cliff could look like barnacles on a boat.
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It sounds so interesting. Have a good time.
Comment by Sherry in Idaho 12.17.11 @ 8:36 amBeautiful bird! Avian architecture sounds really cool, shame I live in a flat with little more to spot than gulls to feed my bird-watching habit from when I was a little one.
Have you recovered somewhat from the reaction to the drugs?
Comment by tinebeest 12.17.11 @ 10:14 amIt’s always cool to get the link to see what spectacular avian visitor has come your way! (This lovely creature MAY not relish being compared to a sock-monkey but I’m sure the sock-monkeys are honored!)
Comment by LynnM 12.17.11 @ 10:57 amFlickers look so gentle to me. Not so much to the ants, I guess. 🙂
Comment by twinsetellen 12.17.11 @ 11:03 amHow nice! We get these: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow-shafted_Flicker#Taxonomy and I just love how extravagant they are with spots, stripes, and all different colors!
Comment by Liz 12.17.11 @ 1:12 pmNorthern Flickers are gorgeous! That orange on the underside of the tail? So vivid as to be unreal. Birds are fascinating and it’s fun to hear what stops by to visit outside your window.
Comment by Deb 12.17.11 @ 2:40 pmI have just less than have of my Christmas cards in the mail, no presents shipped… Monday. I’m going to finish both of those tonight and tomorrow, ship on Monday, then Monday night, finish shopping…
I wish we had Northern Flickers. They’re stunning!!
Comment by Channon 12.17.11 @ 3:18 pmLeave a comment
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