The first view was of the male only, hard at work at the sizable cavity the pair has created.
We did not realize that the female was inside until she poked her head out.
And then we had the sheer delight of male and female together.
Apparently the female had completed whatever tasks were necessary and she left the hole. We counted on Franc to record this action and, of course, he did not let us down.
We hope that this pair will lay their normal clutch of four eggs in this nest and we will be able to witness their feeding trips to the nestlings that will result. And finally, if we are lucky, we will be there to see them leave the nest.
Red-bellied Woodpecker has expanded its range significantly in recent years and is now quite common in Southern Ontario. It is a moderately large woodpecker, armed with a sharp bill, and is aggressive enough to repel Common Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) trying to take over its cavity. Sadly, this is often not the case with smaller woodpeckers in our area.
It is safe to say that this was the highlight of the day for all of us.
Great looking woodpecker. And already nesting............
ReplyDeleteHello David,
ReplyDeleteWonderful images of the cute Red-bellied Woodpecker. Lovely to see them both.
Hello David!
ReplyDeleteMagnificent pictures and very impressive images!
Beautiful pair of the Red-Bellied Woodpeckers!
Like especially the third photo!
Dimi...
wow, the bird flying out of the hole photos are amazing. Such beautiful captures. I bet this was indeed a joy to see.
ReplyDeleteHi David - what brilliant photographic shots ... just amazing. No wonder this was the moment in the day for your success. Cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteHola David. las fotos son espectaculares y el ave preciosa. Un abrazo.
ReplyDeleteThese birds are extremely beautiful and so are the pictures! The succession from the peeping out to the flying red-bellied woodpecker is stunning.
ReplyDeleteHi David,
ReplyDeleteVery good new, I hope me too that you will can to see them leave the nest ! It's a beautiful woodpecker !
Bye
Wow, wow and wow.
ReplyDeleteI would be smiling so broadly my face hurt.
Love Franc's photography too.
Thank you both.
Great Photos!
ReplyDeleteGood photos, and they are pretty.
ReplyDeleteVilken vacker fågel! Bilderna är skickligt tagna, att lyckas få en bild av honan som flyger ut ur boet är sannerligen en bragd. Hoppas vi får höra mer av den spännande familj när småttingarna växer upp.
ReplyDeleteGood morning Gunilla: If we get to see the young rest assured that we will share the pictures.
DeleteStunning work by Franc once again. What a superb bird.
ReplyDeleteHi David.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Woodpeckers are this.
So beautiful in color.
Groettie from Patricia.
beautiful, amazing !
ReplyDeleteThese woodpeckers are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYou have captured such beautiful pictures of the red bellied woodpecker. The bird peeping out of the hole to the capture of the bird in flight. Lovely.
ReplyDeleteThis is absolutely a beautiful kind of woodpecker. It was a lucky moment to see this couple.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful woodpecker. I do hope you can following the progress of their breeding attempt. The photos are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteOh wow, and well done Franc. Magical photos, it will be great if you manage to get the younsters as well but we must not be too greedy as these photos are fabulous. Have a good week Diane
ReplyDeleteHow lovely, fingers crossed they manage to raise their young successfully.
ReplyDeleteoh how thrilling!! i see this woodpecker in my yard but never in this way....just at the suet or hanging out on the deck rail!!! beautiful captures!!!
ReplyDeletei hope we get to see some little ones!!
What an amazing sight to see this couple of beautiful woodpeckers. The photos are absolutely gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI'm attracted to that image where you've captured the bird in action leaving the next.
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteThese images require their very own description... fantabulush!!! YAM xx
Fantastic Franc, what a sight.
ReplyDeleteHi David,
ReplyDeleteI can imagine this was the highlight of your day. Such beautiful bird; so nice to see male and female together. Franc made fantastic pictures.
Hopefully you'll see the offspring later this year.
Best regards, Corrie
Seeing the female poke her head out was wonderful and then to see them together was very special indeed. Wonderful photographs of these Red-bellied Woodpeckers.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
I can't resist a good woodpecker, David - probably my favourite group of birds, after owls - and this is certainly a good woodpecker! Franc has captured them superbly, and I'm sure this pair and their offspring will provide you with more delights soon.
ReplyDeleteWith love to you and Miriam - - - Richard
What a wonderful find! It would be the highlight of my day, too. Thank you so much for confirming the tanager.
ReplyDeleteThree cheers to Franc! I have always found it ironic that the red-bellied woodpecker has a white belly and red head!
ReplyDeleteHola David.
ReplyDeleteMaravillosas fotos de la hermosa pareja de pájaros carpinteros, enhorabuena.
Un abrazo desde Galicia, España,
Rafa.
We are starting to see these guys right here in our RV Resort -- I never know for sure whether they have just migrated in or whether they hide out somewhere else in the area until most of the (dreaded ;>)) snowbirds leave for the season. But every April, we start seeing them on morning and evening walks. As snowbirds ourselves we are fortunate to spend the season in a resort that has quite a few trees and which borders wetlands and a county-owned nature area. Lovely pictures -- I hope the nest is successful (and I'd love to find a nest here).
ReplyDeleteA wonderful series!
ReplyDeleteOhhhhhhh ...... I almost fall from my chair of these photos.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful woodpecker and so cool that you could walk it so beautifully.
I love woodpeckers and yes ........ it is really beautiful! I really enjoy sitting.
Kind regards, Helma
Lovely pictures, I love woodpeckers and see them in their nest. Red-bellied Woddpecker is a nice one
ReplyDeleteHi David,
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful is the Red-bellied Woodpecker.
Thanks for this amazing sharing, the photos are wonderful.
Many greetings
Maria from
Divagar Sobre Tudo um Pouco