Thank you for sharing... what great pictures!!! I agree, she definately thinks she's beautiful!
K

I have to say, you must have some kind of magic bird-attracting water...you get some of the most interesting wildlife visiting your bird bath!

What a gorgeous photo...I've never seen a woodpecker using the birdbath..never mind a pileated!

Nothing but doves and squirrels in my yard since the hawk family moved in.

and she IS beautiful...what a great pic!!

She sure fills that birdbath up a lot more than the bluebirds!

Maureen, those photos are stunning! I just LOVE the last one...with every red feather in her crest standing straight up! The detail is amazing! We have a pair around here, but I've never had one of them come to the birdbaths.

I've been really trying to entice my birds back, and yesterday, I put out new feeders and fresh food. Shortly afterward, I had a pair of mourning doves feeding on the ground under a feeder, and they hadn't been there 2 minutes when out of nowhere, one of my resident red-shouldered hawks shot down to try to nab one. He missed, but then he flew to the top of my Bali hut and wouldn't move. I finally had to aim a jet of water at him to chase him off.
Five minutes after he left, the doves were back, and a pair of cardinals, as well. Plus, I have a CATBIRD eating SEED at my feeder now! I've never seen that before in all my birdwatching years.

You just never know what you are going to see when out in your garden, do you? Our little attempts to create a private spot of nature often succeed beyond our expectations.

Thanks for sharing. These might be my very all-time favorites of your bird pictures.

Marcia

I'm glad you enjoy the pictures. This bird was so much fun to photograph. She spent about a 1/2 hour going between the big oak tree and the birdbath, quite enjoying herself. She didn't seem a bit spooked by me and even stayed around when my little bichon raised a fuss in the yard.

Maureen

Adorable bird - I have never seen a woodpecker in a bird bath
Great pictures!
Olya

I think it is a juvenile. Looks like a baby to me and thus, he probably doesn't know better. What great photos! I have pilateds in my area but their necks are longer and the cockade is more prominent.

That is fantastic!

saintpfla, Red bellies use mine (and my feeders) daily.

Marcia, if you have a window covered somewhat by plants like me, my new window attaching feeder is extremely popular with the birds. I had one male and 3 female painted buntings hanging on and around it one day, cardinals and ground doves also. I have about 3 or more catbirds, but they never use my feeders. But I have a lot of natives which have berries available right now stoppers and fiddlewoods mostly. I've been tossing around poke berries and see a bunch popping up. Its going to be quite a lure for fruit eating birds.

My sunflower feeder is emptying in two days, and its a big feeder.

Happy birding,

Gary

No Way!!! That is beyond great!

Your pictures are much better than the ones I found online when I was trying to figure out what bird I was seeing about a month ago. I did figure it out and it was a pair of the Pileated Woodpeckers. They are actually huge as adults. Well, much bigger than any woodpeckers I've seen around here. Great camara job!

Maureen, what a pretty baby. How exciting is that??? I think it is an immature one too. We used to get adults in our Sweet Bay magnolias at our townhouse and they were HUGE! She is so cute and fluffy.. Unfortunately, the grackels are eating me out of house and home and there is nothing left for my cardinals and doves. They have been in the neighborhood in droves this week and I can't keep the feeders full. Hopefully they will move on and my quieter, gentler feather friends can return.