Golden-fronted
woodpeckers have a nest in the knot-hole of the fence post about 50' from our
motorhome. We've been at this gate 4
weeks today and we've had the opportunity to watch their comings and
goings. A couple of weeks ago Bill noted
that something had changed... the eggs
had hatched.
Male Golden-fronted Woodpecker
Since then we've
observed the parents continually bringing food to their brood. Both the male and female birds are constantly
flying in and out... all day long.
Easy to see how he got that name...
I've written about
our Critter Buffet and included photos of some of the diners. We have a lot of Bullock's orioles and Friday
I added an orange to the "spread".
We haven't had any orioles visit yet... but yesterday the woodpeckers found
the fruit and have since been constant visitors. In fact, they completely striped both halves
of the orange of its pulp.
Good to the last bite!
I sliced it and
impaled it on my shepherd hook....
The female found the apple... wonder if her name is "Eve"?
I thought the birds
really liked the orange, but since I've added the apple, they haven't even
given the orange a second glance. I
don't know how long we'll be at this location but probably not long enough to
see the babies fledge. It's always a treat to watch bird parents bring their young to feed...
Look how she's cleaning up her plate!
(This is over a time span of several hours - many, many trips back and forth from the apple to the nest)
That's All For Today!
If those babies hatched a couple of weeks ago, the babies will be fledging any day now.
ReplyDeleteYou are sure helping out those woodpecker parents. The great pictures are your reward. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful birdies!
ReplyDeleteI have a question? Do you get ants on the oranges? When I put out oranges I do and then the birds shun them.
ReplyDeleteAnd hear I thought that you could not compare apples and oranges:)
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that they would eat apples! Good to know...
ReplyDeleteMark
Happy Mother's Day Sharon.
ReplyDeleteHope it was a great one for you.
Amazing photos!!!
ReplyDeleteI find it interesting that they leave the peeling on the apple...so do I.
ReplyDeleteGood Lord! what gorgeous pictures Sharon! you ought to submit these to whoever you submit stuff to. just awesome
ReplyDeleteBelated Happy Mother's Day wishes, Sharon, and hope your day was wonderful despite being away from family. We took a short road trip over the weekend to visit my mother in NJ. Enjoyed these closeups and too bad you may not be able to see the babies. We have a robin's nest and I have been waiting for the eggs to hatch.
ReplyDeleteI love your photos! I haven't seen this particular woodpecker yet, and feel like I've had a ringside seat, too. I have a shepards hook that is still in it's package. I might get some apples and oranges for the birds, too. Looks like they love them. I got a kick out of the bird taking the apple's pulp, but not the skin.
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