Wednesday, 10 May 2023

THE GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER Dendrocopos major

 This week I had a new visitor to my balcony feeder. It was a lovely surprise, and here are the photos I managed to get, however I had to lighten them a little as my balcony was in the deep shade, I hope it visits again, and I hope you enjoy a bird I have heard but not seen for several years

A  Juvenile.


















Just the tail in the shade, as it doesn't appear very often in the photos

Sorry about the very dirty base of the feeder, I hadn't really noticed until I saw the photos on screen. It really does spoil the aesthetics of each capture, but there is nothing I can do now to alter what was overlooked. Just the fact that it's a Nivea base is hardly attractive,in itself, but I couldn't capture a photo of the Woodpecker on a tree branch further away from the peanut feeder,.but hopefully I will next time.

31 comments:

Bill said...

Outstanding and beautiful images of the Great Spotted Woodpecker. You captured the beauty of the bird perfectly.

Michelle said...

You captured some great photos. Birds are such interesting creatures and I enjoy watching them, too.

Marit said...

Dear Sonjia :)
It's so funny that you too have the same woodpecker at your place, because it lives here too. We have very many of the same birds, even we live very far from each other. I see "my" woodpeckers every day, and it's two of them here. You have captured it very nice, and the woodpecker is so beautiful. They are always very hungry, and "my" woodpecker makes a lot of noise if there is no food left. I think the woodpecker loves your peanuts!

Best wishes, and warm hugs to you.

La Biosfera de Lola said...

Querida Sonjia las fotos son preciosas, esta ave es muy bonita. Y no te preocupes por el comedero, me diste una buena idea para hacer comederos. Muchas gracias. Abrazos y besos

Lowcarb team member said...

Such beautiful photographs of the Great Spotted Woodpecker, I enjoyed them all.

All the best Jan

roentare said...

Still a nice capture indeed.

DeniseinVA said...

Oh my goodness, fabulous photos Sonjia! What a beauty! I thought the nivea base was a very clever replacement base for the feeder. I was too focused on that pretty woodpecker. But I know what you mean, I am always trying to get a photo of them in the trees but am more successful at the birdfeeder lately. Great job! I leave smiling :)

Marie Smith said...

Such a handsome bird. Love the tail and the colouring! A lucky sighting! I really enjoy watching woodpeckers!

Irma said...

You've taken great pictures of the Great Spotted Woodpecker.
It doesn't come to your feeder that often so I would be very happy if I could photograph this.
Greetings Irma

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Good morning, Sonjia: We are in the age of recycling, or at least we should be, so your repurposed Nivea cap is a perfect illustration of environmental responsibility, to say nothing of practicality, so on both counts you get a Gold Star of approval. The Great Spotted Woodpecker has given the bird feeder his blessing too and is very happy to feast on the food you have provided. What a wonderful visitor, so bold and handsome. On Sunday I led a bird walk for the local horticultural society and a Downy Woodpecker landed on the outstretched hands of two of the ladies, and they were more thrilled than if they had been kissed by a prince. That's good taste for you! Hugs from Ontario - David

Kenneth Cole Schneider said...

Wonderful portraits of the woodpecker. Too often, I often focus on the bir's eye and forget to include the tail in the photo, even though it could be accommodated.

MadSnapper said...

I was entranced with the bird and did not even see the bottom of the feeder until I went back to see what you meant. what a beautiful bird and nothing like I have ever seen. we are all blessed to be able to lighten photos to beauty that we could not before. Ansel Adams had to do it in the dark room.

Linda said...

Marvelous! What a neat bird!

Rhodesia said...

Just so lovely to see the woodpecker. I have not seen one for ages until I spotted one in the garden a couple of days back. I had the wrong lens on the camera :-(( It did not wait! Best wishes, Diane

Soma @ InkTorrents.com said...


The Nivea base is very clever. I didn't even notice the bird feeder, you photos are just so beautiful!

-Soma

Mike Attwood said...

Hello Sonjia, Delightful photo's. Take care. Mike

Teresa said...

Me encantó tu reportaje. Un abrazo.

Veronica Lee said...

Glorious photos of the Great Spotted Woodpecker.

What a beauty!

Hugs and blessings, Sonjia

Richard Pegler said...

How wonderful for you to have a visit by a Great Spotted Woodpecker, Sonjia! It is too long since we last had that pleasure in our garden.

I seem to remember a previous photo from you showing the feeder with the Nivea lid as a base - an ingeneous and impressive recycling job.

I hope that you are not still having extremely hot weather conditions there. Take good care - - - Richard

Penelope Notes said...

Terrific shots of the bird and the feeder's base adds to the interest of the photo imo. :))

Mae Travels said...

Your photos of this beautiful woodpecker are great. Several species of woodpeckers also enjoy the suet we put out in our bird feeders, and they also sometimes choose the seeds from the other feeder.

best,mae at maefood.blogspot.com

RedPat said...

These are wonderful shots. It was nice of it to stay around so long for you to get the pics.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I love woodpeckers and this is one we don't see here so it's special to see your photos! Thanks for sharing! I love this post!

Adam Jones said...

How wonderful to have this woodpecker visit your feeders. I'd be glued to them all day if I had one visit mine.

John's Island said...

Hello Sonija! What a neat post with all the excellent captures of the Great Spotted Woodpecker. I love these shots you get right there at your balcony feeder. No worries about the bottom of the feeder … I didn’t find it a distraction at all to the beautiful bird. It’s great to see this activity coming back to your deck and thank you for sharing your photos! Hope you have a fine week ahead in wonderful Portugal! Best regards from Seattle! John

Jim and Barb's Adventures said...

I've never heard of the Great Spotted Woodpecker, very beautiful!

magiceye said...

Beautifully captured!

Rainbow Evening said...

love woodpeckers....
thank you for sharing beautiful photos

carol l mckenna said...

Awesome photos of the woodpecker ~


Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores

Hena Tayeb said...

Wow you got some great pictures.

eileeninmd said...

Hello Sonjia,
What an awesome visitor to your feeders. It is a beautiful woodpecker and I loved all your photos, great closeups. I hope it comes back often to visit you! Sorry, I am late commenting! Thanks so much for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great day and the rest of the week!

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