Greensboro Birds

Walked around the complex this morning, and there was a LOT of birding action! We’re in the midst of a polar blast, with temps hovering in the high 20s/low 30s. The sun is nice and bright, though, so it could be worse. Here’s a handful of the many birds I spotted.

This Song Sparrow was singing up a storm in a cedar tree next to the pond. Capturing birds with their beaks open always amuses me.

As you know, woodpeckers are my current favorites, so capturing a shot of this Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in a pine tree really made my morning. This one was opening up a few sap wells in a tree near the fitness center. There were also several Red-bellied Woodpeckers about, including a mated pair, but I couldn’t get close enough for a good shot—except for a couple shots of their backs. They were out there, though, trust me!

This is what started the whole photography escapade. When I opened the blinds this morning, I spotted a flock of Dark-eyed Juncos foraging around the parking lot. I hadn’t seen any Juncos for a week or so and thought they had started migrating back to Canada. Juncos are very cute, so they were a nice way to start the day. Several were gathered near the pond, which is where I captured this one.

Northern Flickers are a real visual treat. They have so many different colors and patterns, as if they’re an amalgamation of several different birds. Although Flickers are a type of woodpecker, they typically find their food on the ground, as this one is doing. Like Bluebirds, Flickers sit on a branch or tree trunk, watching for bugs in the grass, then drop down to grab their prey.

See? I wasn’t kidding. Here’s a shot of an Eastern Bluebird behind a Northern Flicker (the Flicker is digging around for bugs, so this is a nice shot of its back).

And just a few more nice shots: (from top to bottom) one of a half dozen Crows that caused ruckus at the pond; a curious Robin; busy Blue Jay over by the national park barn; Downy Woodpecker at the suet.