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Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Red-Bellied Woodpecker

I guess my new found birding skill is still with me. I think the new camera deserves a lot of the credit for this one. I watched as this red-bellied woodpecker flew from tree to tree high up in the forest without ever imagining that I might be able to get a picture. This kind of thing is much easier now, so I got three of them.

I specifically picked a point and shoot camera, and not a DSLR, because I thought it would be quicker for animal photography. I don't have to change lenses or set many manual settings, although I can. All I have to do is zoom in and try to point the camera at my target. It's proving very convenient so far.

This is the very first red-bellied woodpecker I've ever seen, so it took me awhile to identify it. Most birds are still new to me, mainly because there are just so many different kinds. I was really never able to get pictures like this before, so I didn't attempt to do it very often.

This woodpecker was so far away that I could barely see it. I had to wait for any movements on the side of the trees. Usually a woodpecker would identify itself by its loud knocking on the side of the trees, but this one wasn't doing it enough for me to know this was the one. I just knew it was a bird and I wanted it.

As you can see by this last picture, this bird has a very red head. If you're wondering where it gets its name from, you might want to expand the first picture and take a closer look. It's not easy to see, but you can see the red on its belly in that one.

This is one of many birds I've been surprised to have gotten recently. There will be more to come as soon as I can organize everything. I'm not good at that part. I usually do all of this in a very chaotic way. I even write my posts at the very last minute. I guess it keeps everything I say natural that way.

On Nature Center Magazine today there is a news story that I wrote myself, even though all news goes under the magazine name. The story isn't something I usually like putting on there, because it's kind of a gruesome one. It's about an incident that happened in 2005 between a pack of black squirrels and a dog. It's a very interesting bit of news, but it's not pretty at all!

20 comments:

  1. Great capture Ratty, he is a beauty.

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  2. Those are great photos! The camera does a nice job. It is hard to capture birds--I have given up trying most times because they just move too darn fast for me.

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  3. Great shots of the woodpecker. Don't give the camera all the credit though having more zoom certainly helps. :-)

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  4. haha Ratty I knew you got a new camera! You have had some amazing photos lately. Your followers are definitely reaping the benefits. Woodpeckers are awesome!

    I am a closet bird guy. When I was a kid my parents bought me a huge book about birds because I seemed to have an interest, but my interest in technology snuffed everything else out as an adolescent. Now that I am an adult I am realizing again how much I love birds. The crow, the woodpecker, and the kookaburra (can you vacation to Australia please? lol) are probably my favorites of all time. I guess I love the noisy ones :)

    Birds of prey too are very interesting.

    You are inspiring me to bird watch sir! I was actually thinking about your blog yesterday. I walk at work every day that I can, at lunch. I wanted to kick it up a notch, so I started using the gym... very good for me, but very enclosed and boring. A fellow in the locker room told me about a path that's great for outdoor runs right across the street from us. I went yesterday and it's gorgeous... I will have to post some pics.

    Congrats on the new toy, I am stoked for you :) I have a crow post scratching at the back of my mind, but I have much research to do...

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  5. I always write my posts at the very last minute, because my "pots of gold" never come very much earlier than this.

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  6. Good shooting Ratty. The red-bellied woodpecker is a regular visitor to our winter bird feeder.

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  7. these are some wonderful shots Ratty...How much did your camera cost??? I would love to be able to get pictures like these!

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  8. Wow, I've heard woodpeckers before (we've got one that seems to enjoy waking me up early on Sundays!) but I've never been able to get a good look at it...they are actually quite pretty. Beautiful picture!

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  9. What wonderful shots, Ratty, and the bird is spectacular. You know, since I got my digital, I have hardly used my Canon SLR...don't even know what kind, think it's an EOS Rebel, practically knew. It took me a long time to switch to digital as I loved my old manual cameras.

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  10. You are doing well with your new camera. Those are great shots. What a beautiful bird that is too.

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  11. LOVE the shots, Ratty!!
    And great commentary!
    We get downy woodpeckers around here in Winston. Haven't seen a red bellied for a while.

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  12. Ratty, You are naturally talented at spotting birds and wildlife...or maybe they just come to you.:)

    Outstanding captures of the Red-Bellied Woodpecker!

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  13. I've never seen a woodpecker, "red-bellied" or otherwise - one of the downsides of being a big city kitty. My human has seen a woodpecker or two while hiking through the nearby Angeles National Forest. But I don't think it was this kind. And I'm not sure of the "red-bellied" part, even after looking at the larger version of the photo. I think it should be called "sort of pale red-hued bellied" woodpecker.

    Nice photos, btw! I am looking forward to more.

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  14. These are amazing Ratty. You must love your new camera :-)

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  15. Great shots Ratty :) That new camera surely served you well!

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  16. Thanks for all of your comments, everybody. I wish I had time to answer them all, but I do make sure I read them all. I can answer a few questions though.

    @Allotments4you
    My camera cost me $350 in American money. I waited for a good deal. The usual cost is $369. I'm not sure how much that would be in your money though.

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  17. Those are wonderful photos Ratty! Such a beautiful bird!

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  18. Oh my, Ratty he is so colorful and cute. The closeup is amazing on here.

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