I did some birding in Marquette County Wisconsin today. I always enjoy watching the Red-headed Woodpeckers working from sun up to sun down. They get acorns from live trees, break them up in pockets of dead trees and bury the pieces within dead trees or under bark of dead trees. They store these pieces for winter food no matter how deep the snow is, it will always be available. They always seem to store the pieces in trees near nest holes that will probably be used in spring for raising the young. I have a water hole I watch and two of the highlights today were a Brown Creeper and a Red-eyed Vireo. The Red-eyed Vireo is listed as a rare bird for this date in Marquette Co. This bird moved very fast in the couple of seconds I saw it, I just barely got a photo. I have never seen a bird drink like today. It flew across the pond, barely touched the water, opened its bill and grabbed a drink for a second and never slowing down, off it went like a bullet south. Other common birds gave nice shows which is always a treat. Images were taken on November 7, 2015.
Red-headed Woodpecker with a piece of acorn after splitting one up in the top of this dead oak tree, early morning sun
With acorn piece
Hammering a piece of acorn into the hole of the dead tree for winter food
Hammering a piece of acorn into the hole of the dead tree for winter food
Putting a piece of acorn into the hole of the dead tree for winter food
Putting a piece of acorn into the hole of the dead tree for winter food
Just looking around after storing some winter food
Putting a piece of acorn into a crack of the dead tree for winter food
Going to put a piece of acorn into a crack of the dead tree for winter food
Splitting up an acorn in the pocket in the dead oak
Splitting up an acorn in the pocket in the dead oak
Don’t need this shell of the acorn, out it goes!
With a new piece of acorn to go store it for the winter
Red-eyed Vireo, a RARE bird for this date in Marquette Co. WI. 11/7/15
Red-eyed Vireo, a RARE bird for this date in Marquette Co. WI. 11/7/15
Brown Creeper
Brown Creeper
Brown Creeper
Dark-eyed Junco
Dark-eyed Junco bathing
Blue Jay calling
Blue Jay
Blue Jay calling
Black-capped Chickadee bathing
Black-capped Chickadee just out of the water
Dark-eyed Junco
Dark-eyed Junco
Blue Jay on alert!
Blue Jay looking back
Blue Jay posing
Great photos. Liked the creeper and the chickadee in the water. Thanks
Jim, Your images are always good, but that chickadee in the water is outstanding!
You are lucky to have a place to go to and regularly see the Red-headed Woodpeckers, Jim. They are much scarcer than they used to be.
Your Red-eyed Vireo sighting is the fifth latest sighting in the WSO records, so they are rare everywhere in the state at this time.
All the images are super good, and that Blue Jay “looking back” is looking mighty fine!
Love your photos always. Red Headed Woodpeckers are one of my favorite birds. Now you need to capture a Pileated for me!
You certainly captured nature at it’s best. All excellent pics. Thanks so much for sharing.
I so-o-o enjoy your beautiful photos. Thank-you for making them available for us to enjoy.
Just gorgeous shots. Thanks again Jim.
The stories that go along with your gorgeous photos always make for a total, pleasurable break from a busy life. Thanks – again – for sharing.
I can’t say that bluejays are my favorite birds, but your photos show how truly beautiful they are!