Birds and Nature

As much fun as the nesting Bald Eagles are, there are lots of other birds either migrating in/through my area of Colorado or engaging in breeding. So I will start interjecting some of them in between Bald Eagle updates. I spotted this Northern Flicker (red-shafted) in the top of this dead stump while birding on the Canon City, CO Riverwalk this week. I have seen Great Horned Owls nesting in the top of dead stumps before but not flickers. The flicker has it's nictitating membrane covering it's eyes in the bottom pic (link discusses how high speed photography shows that woodpeckers cover their eyes with the nictitating membrane split second before hitting tree with their beak--a great protection). SeEtta

Just a couple of pics of a male Red-shafted Northern Flicker I took at the Canon City Riverwalk yesterday. I love to hear them calling in the fall and especially giving their 'wicka wicka wicka' calls. SeEtta