Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Wild Birds

This Common Grackle with its lovely irredesicent colors paid a visit a couple of weeks ago. In the summer my feeders can get overrun with them but I see them only occasionally in the winter.  It was spitting very fine snow when I took this so that's why he looks like he has dandruff. :)

Our grandchildren all visited for Thanksgiving and doing the festivities this Pileated Woodpecker showed up. All the kids (ages 4, 5, and almost 7) were fascinated by him.

This guy landed in a walnut tree outside my window this week. By the time I retrieved my camera he was taking off. Can anyone help identify him for me?

Linking to Wild Birds with Stewart.

21 comments:

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

Great bird shots and it was lovely that your 3 grandchildren saw this lovely Woodpecker.

diane b said...

ove the woodpecker with his crash helmet.

TexWisGirl said...

maybe a cooper's hawk?

love the pileated shot! and sharp grackle, too.

Nicki said...

The last one looks like a hawk, but not sure. With all the feral kitties around we no longer entertain birds - but when we did, the grackle and woodpeckers were regulars at the feeder.

Rohrerbot said...

Nice birds! Hard to say. It's either a Cooper's or Sharp-shinned Hawk. I'm leaning towards the latter one as the bill looks shorter.....

George said...

Your photo of the Grackle is exquisite. I love the colors of his head and neck.

Connie Smiley said...

Don't you love those pileated woodpeckers? I can see why your grandchildren were fascinated-- so am I! I've heard that Woody Woodpecker was patterned after that bird. Great capture of the grackle, too!

Bethany Carson said...

The woodpecker is brilliant! Very nice shot. In the spring we have a lot of grackles as well.

Anonymous said...

Lovely shots, the grackle is a colourful bird.

Red said...

Grackles go through here on migration south. They visit us for two or three days.

eileeninmd said...

Hello Carletta, I love the colorful shot of the Grackle.. And the Pileated is one of my favorite woodies.. Great birds and photos.. Have a happy week!

Lea said...

Great photos!
How thrilling to share your love of birds with your grandchildren!
Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Lea

A Colorful World said...

All three shots are really great. Love the hawk!

EG CameraGirl said...

OH! I LOVE the Pileated Woodpecker!

Ela said...

All your shots are wonderful ! I like the woodpecker hairstyle !
Greetings

Anonymous said...

I'd be thrilled to see that Pileated Woodpecker!

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Great shots- I would love to be able to capture the woodpecker..I did once, but he was so far away..just a blur. sigh!

Susan said...

Beautiful photos. Grackles are so pretty!

NatureFootstep said...

fine birds all of them. :)

Unknown said...

Wonderful birds! I love the woodpecker and the grackle is gorgeous.

Stewart M said...

Great birds - the Pileated Woodpecker is one of my favourite birds - been lucky enough to see some in the past.

Hope you have a good Christmas.

cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne