Woodpecker update

Based on the size, I'm going to say the woodpecker in the most recent post is a female Downy.  Thanks for the help Jon.  The bill is not large enough and at 6", not big enough to be a Hairy.

A cold but busy day at the feeder on Sunday

The wind chills were below zero but it was a sunny day and a busy day at the feeder so your faithful blogger braved the chill taking pictures with no gloves on.

 

Let the debate begin.  I think I have seen Hairy Woodpeckers in the woods.  Hairy Woodpeckers are close cousins of the Downy Woodpecker.  The main difference is size.  A Downy is about 6" and a Hairy is about 9".  The bill width on a Hairy is about the same as its head size.  A Downy's bill is about 1/3 of the head.  And on the tail, a Hairy does not have black or grey spots.  In many of the pictures below, you will see a woodpecker.  By size it's about 6 inches.  But it lacks spots on the tail and I could make a case for the bill being larger.  I'll ask for some help from my Kansas connection (Dean and Jon).  Jon has already weighed in on previous posts telling me he thinks I'm seeing a Hairy Woodpecker.  I'm sure I'm seeing both at different times. 

 

I got quite a few good pictures and including them all. Here we go:

 

 

I got lucky on this next picture.  Look at the peanut in the bill...

 

 

Look at the White-Breasted Nuthatch above the feeder in this next one...

 

 

I've seen American Goldfinch this winter and Sunday I was finally able to capture one.  Look at the colors.  May be making the change now.  I also love "combo" pictures (two different birds at the same time) and I was fortunate to get a few of those.  Enjoy...

"Goldy" has something in its bill...

 

 

 

So you can see it was a productive day on a very cold day but the sun helped and maybe the birds didn't fly off because it was so cold.  I was basically standing next to the fence getting these pictures.

 

Click here to see the page I referred to on woodpeckers

Finally a closer shot of a Downy Woodpecker

I got some good pictures last winter of Downy Woodpeckers but none so far this winter until yesterday.   This guy wasn't flying away as I approached.  And it wasn't pecking away so I got a decent picture. 

 

 

And here is one of the regulars again (White-Breasted Nuthatch)...

 

 

What's new at the feeder?

Maybe I should say "who's" new at the feeder.  Kind of a dreary day but spotted a Dark-Eyed Junco on the feeder today.  No stranger to any feeder but usually seen on the ground.  Today sharing space with a White-Breasted Nuthatch (who I always can count on not flying away when I walk close)...

Happy trails...

I didn't measure in the backyard.  Let's just say it's deep enough.  So I clear these paths and sure enough Russ will go "off-road".

Interesting how the snow shapes as it accumulates.

 

 

Open for business.  I did see one bird on it.  

"Snowmen"

Steve and Jake came over to do our driveway.  A huge help!

 

 

 

 

Jake wrote a "J" and then "Jake"

 

Here's a ruler...at the time of the photo is said 11".  At the time of this post it's still coming down...

Russ has his tongue out trying to catch snowflakes