Gila Woodpecker

Everyone is sharing their bird pics so I thought that I should get in on it the action.

I was taking pics of ducks the other day when this Gila Woodpecker landed less than ten feet away, straight up the tree from me. I had this happen at a different location just days before and couldn't believe that I could try this again. I slowly raised the camera while he was looking for bugs. I was amazed that he didn't mind me being there just feet away. The sky was perfect. I was somewhat ready with the exposure set. It all just fell in place. I wish they all did.


Mike Hall
Conway, AR

Hi Mike,

Your picture did not come through. If you photographed a Gila Woodpecker in AR, it would be quite a record because they live in the Sonoran Desert. Maybe it is a yellow-shafted flicker? Looking forward to seeing the image.

Best,
Don

I'd be interested in the correct ID for sure. It's not a flicker. I have a pic of a flicker that turned out decent that I can put on here too. Let me know what bird this is. Thanks in advance! I'm not sure why the pic didn't come thru. Try this link.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/satlink1/MMH_0303700.jpg

Mike, it's a red-bellied woodpecker. Nice job of getting everything in focus!

Don

Thanks Don! When I took this picture, I thought it was a red headed woodpecker. Then I saw a previous post on here and realized this was not a redhead. The Gila was very close to mine and i never came across a red-bellied woodpecker on my research. Thanks for the needed info.

Yep, master Don nailed it again, a red-bellied woodpecker. Nice job on this one MIke.