An Embarrassment of Riches!

There are days when I can find absolutely nothing to blip, and once in a blue moon, there are days when my Blip "cup" runneth over!

The first thrill was seeing a second Varied Thrush on the deck and determining that it was a female -- and I hope a potential mate for Dapper Dan, who arrived here several weeks ago! You can see her in the first extra photo; she doesn't have a black "collar" like Dapper Dan's, and is very mellow, compared to him. 

The second thrill was watching Ms. Downy Woodpecker figure out how to feed from the tabletop suet-and-seed feeder -- very different from the elevated one she was used to, which replicates her feeding style in nature. Despite our best efforts, the Eastern Gray Squirrels managed to empty the elevated feeder yesterday while we were both away from home, so Ms. DW was highly motivated to figure out how to dine in a different location.

I was even more impressed when the female Varied Thrush joined her at that feeder, taking a few test bites of the food on offer, and then strolling around the feeder (second extra photo). Neither of these female birds showed any aggression; they were wary of each other, but tolerance reigned. 

However, they both moved away when today's surprise visitor, the biggest thrill of all, appeared at the feeder --  a red-shafted Northern Flicker! She looked huge next to the little Song Sparrow who was curious about the new kid in town (last extra photo).

After enjoying a light repast, Ms. Northern Flicker flew to the back yard fence, where she posed prettily for today's blip, then wiped her beak on the fence and flew off. I photographed a male Northern Flicker in our front yard in October, and I hope he returns, as it would be lovely to have flickers nesting in the wooded area behind our house.  

Almost nothing on my "to do" list for today was accomplished, but I wouldn't have traded these wonderful encounters with our local birds for anything!

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