I just love watching the birds outside my windows. Recently, we've had some really sweet entertainment as a baby Red Bellied woodpecker has been being fed sunflower seeds from my bird feeder by its parent:
The adult Red Bellied woodpecker flies to my birdfeeder, then back to a tree where the seed is broken against the bark.
The baby Red Bellied woodpecker waits in anxious anticipation of being fed!
Awe...this is what the little one has been waiting for!
This has been one busy parent;-) Soon, I expect to see the youngster taking the seed directly from the feeder.
(Unfortunately my camera has begun to produce blurry photos. It was sent in for repair but is still not producing the 'consistently clear' photos I'm used to seeing. We may need to consider a replacement camera in the future. In the meantime, please forgive my less-than-stellar shots!).
Hope you make it a great day today!
Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/
Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.
Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.
Very cool! Great shots of showing the parents feeding the baby.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun show!! I love watching Mother Nature. You have a great front row seat for bird watching.
ReplyDeleteAw, so adorable! What great pictures!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful set of photos. Thanks so much. Helps to make my day! :)
ReplyDeleteToo sweet !!
ReplyDeleteHaven't seen one around here since the winter before last. :(
That baby sure is big.
What incredible pictures! I have the same woodpeckers but their favorite feeder and the suet feeders are in the back of my garden so I miss the big show. Great photos!!!
ReplyDeleteDelightful photos! I don't know, however -- that baby looks big enough to be feeding himself! Reminds me of some human kids I know, depending on their parents to do things for them. But maybe the adult isn't quite ready to let go.
ReplyDeleteWow, doesn't it just warm your heart that you're helping a little bird family? Great photos!
ReplyDeleteJan,
ReplyDeleteYour right it is sweet! Just another one of natures wonders, glad you good share it with us!
Great photos Jan! It looks like it's 'Dad' feeding the baby. I have not seen any baby Red Bellies here, just some young nuthatches.
ReplyDeleteHeather
They are so cute and these are really good photos. I never saw a baby, yet have a set of parents here in my yard. Maybe it is too early yet for them.
ReplyDeleteAmazing, Jan! I've also seen it when the babies are sure they should still get fed, and the parents disagree. That's often almost comical, because it's pretty clear those babies are no longer babies...
ReplyDeleteDear Jan, The wildlife in my garden is a continuing source of delight to me, too. Wonderful posting! P. x
ReplyDeletePrecious wildlife moments caught on your camera here..!
ReplyDeleteCute, and you got great pictures
ReplyDeleteOh, that is sweet! I have these woodpeckers here as well, but never been blessed to see a baby.
ReplyDeleteThey are just so much fun to watch and the babies are so cute. I took pictures of a pair in my back yard last spring and I loved watching mommy teaching the baby to open the sunflower seeds and walk up the sides of trees. LOL! Great shots Jan.
ReplyDeleteDespite your camera disclaimer you have managed to get some great shots! I really enjoy the birds in the garden. Very uplifting.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tina:-)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Janet:-) I do have great front row seats here in my family room!
Thanks Alison;-)
Thank you Patricia, glad it made your day:-)
Thanks, Patsi. Yes, the babies are big.
Hi Tammy, thanks! Glad you could enjoy it here since you don't get to see them much at your feeders.
Deb, glad you enjoyed the photos;-) The babies are quite large but they are unable to grasp on and balance themselves at the feeders...and they also cannot break the seeds open. It can be deceiving, looking at their size...you would think they could but really they are just young juveniles learning the ropes.
Grace, yes, I guess it does warm my heart, when I look at it that way. I hadn't even thought how I was helping them but providing the seeds really is helpful to them. Hopefully, the parents also teach the kids how to hunt for bugs and other things found naturally in the wild. I'd hate to think if I didn't put seed out that they'd starve!
Thanks Randy...it's certainly is one of nature's many wonders and I'm glad you enjoyed seeing it here;-)
Thanks Heather! It does look like the dad. I've been looking for the female parent but have not been able to see her. I'm wondering if something happened to her as she hasn't been around at all. I haven't seen any nuthatch babies around here, although I have seen the adults.
Thanks Donna:-) This is actually the first year I've seen a baby red-bellied woodpecker and I have the adults here year round. It could be that they've been here other years and I didn't notice because they are so large!
Thanks TownMouse:-) I've seen that happen here, too, with the finches and cardinals. I watch the babies go to the feeders and eat, and when the parent flies in the baby suddenly opens it's mouth and wants to be fed. So darn cute!
Thanks Pam! I'm glad you are enjoying your wildlife garden too...I know you have LOTS going on there;-)
Thanks Darla, glad you enjoyed it!
Hi Rusty, thank you;-) Happy you enjoyed the photos!
Thanks Laurie! I hope some day you'll get to see a baby. It's slightly hard to tell the difference, since they're almost the same size! The juvenile has very soft, downy feathers on its belly and little to no red on the head.
Hi Lona, thanks! How cool to watch the mother teaching the baby how to open the seeds. I've been watching them both (father and baby) walking up and down the trees but so far, dad's doing all the work. I haven't seen the baby try it yet...but I don't watch all the time so a lot could happen while I'm not looking;-)
Thank you, Byddi! I'm glad you enjoy the birds in your garden, too. It is so uplifting and awesome to watch the miracles of nature--in action!
They are definitely cute! You've provided a nice sequence showing the parental care.
ReplyDeleteAw-w...so cute! I love watching the birds at this time of year when the parents are tending to the young ones. Sometimes I almost feel as if I am a Godparent as I chase away other birds from nests, remove dead birds from active nests, and watch to make sure all is well. It is such a joy to work with and be with nature...
ReplyDeleteBirds are so cool to watch and especially where the babies are concerned...great pics and post....sooo cute
ReplyDeleteThat baby is adorable ~ and so big already!
ReplyDeleteCameron, Sage, Donna, & Sweetbay...thanks for stopping by and for your comments;-) I so enjoy watching nature and helping when necessary, too;-)
ReplyDelete