ADULT FEMALE GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER AND JUNIOR.

The Great Spotted Woodpecker raised two chicks but one didn't make it. One day a female chick came with her mother but it was plain to see she had been injured, perhaps in a fight with a larger bird, but she was in a sorry state. She had lost one eye and the socket looked infected, she had also lost a claw and had several angry looking wounds on her body. That was the first and last time I saw her, but the other chick a male, although dirty, looked healthy, and accompanied it's mother everywhere, and to my delight came to my balcony often to eat the cake crumbs. Although the adult fed from the top of the wooden box, in true woodpecker style the youngster made a hole in the bottom corner of the box and ate from there. which meant that lots of fine cake crumbs fell to the ground, but the robin made short work of them. I wish these captures could have been better images but the railings and the wrought iron gate over my window impeded my endeavors and the the head movements didn't help either. All photos were taken early morning in deep shade, so had to be lightened for me to share them but many are still dark.

These are the only photos I managed to take of the adult female and the male chick  together in a tree.

Here you can see the the mother feeding her chick.

Again you can see the chick being fed. 

At this early stage of the chick's development, the adult female fed it regularly.

The female Great Spotted Woodpecker was such a devoted parent, she tirelessly fed her chick although at times she looked exhausted.

All the mother's attention was focused on feeding the young chick with great care and tenderness.

I felt privileged to witness these precious moments.

Linking to Saturday's Critters, and Wild Bird Wednesday  If you would like to check them out, click on the icons on the right sidebar. You won't be disappointed to see birds, and many different creatures from around the world. You too can join in by posting a pet, or any creature you like on Eileen's blog. "Saturday's Critters", or a bird on Stewarts blog. 

GRUBBY GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER:

This summer a Great Spotted Woodpecker made it's nest in one of the trees on my driveway I had noticed the comings and goings of the woodpeckers and found their nesting hole where I waited, hoping to catch a glimpse of one or another, but after waiting some considerable time, I withdrew from my hiding place as I knew that they would eventually make their way to my balcony. The female came one dull cloudy morning looking decidedly dirty and disheveled. Her soiled face which was almost unrecognizable told me that she had been grubbing to feed her chicks. She lay on the ledge for a while just resting before making a move towards the peanuts, and I took advantage of her visit as the following images will show. 

 

. I never saw her male counterpart, and assumed she was raising her chicks by herself. I learned later she raised two chicks and she came to my balcony every day to  get the cake crumbs to feed them. 

I w1ll be linking up to Eileen's blog "Saturday's Critters" and "Wild Bird Wednesday" Stewards blog.

INSECTS AND FLOWERS:

Some nature shots taken in my garden. This month has been unbearably hot, the searing heat making it difficult to breath. These photos were taken early morning, and at 11am I close the wooden shutters to try to keep the bedroom from overheating, but as the temperature rises the panes of glass and wooden shutters  which are inside the bedroom become too hot to touch and radiate heat right back into the room.We were under the impression that stone houses keep the house cool in summer and warm in winter, but nothing could be further than the truth. We do not have air conditioning but use fans to cool the air, where ever they are needed most. After the birds have eaten they disappear into the shade of the trees only to emerge on my balcony later in the evening, Only the flies and insects of the insect realm appear to enjoy the hot temperatures.

 

The Speckled Wood.

Bumble bee on French Lavender

Banded Bush Beetle  Trichius  fasciatus on Hawthorn flowers.

Marsh Fritillary

Same as above.

Dimorphotheca ecklonis daisy flower

Female Broad Bodied Libellula

Same as above. The males have grey blue bodies

Side view of  Wall Brown butterfly.

Crap Spider on clover.

Black - eyed Blue butterfly

same as above

Climbing Rose vine

Unknown Fly.

Two planters with Begonias on my balcony.

Spirea bush

Meadow Brown butterfly.

same as above.

I will be linking to "Saturday's Critters" on Eileen's blog where you will find many different animals.

Click on the side bar on the icon and it will take you there, and you can join in the party.