Northern Flicker out in the open

[Loupey]

I must be learnin' somethin': prior to 2008, I could count the number of times I had spotted a northern flicker with one hand.

Now that I know how, when, and where to find them, I see them all the time. During the most recent hike, a saw 6 in a loose group flying from tree to tree. This is one of those. A few were eating (willow oak pods?) and were distracted enough that I slipped in as close as I dared.

They are always behind an obstruction but this one plopped onto this perch for but a moment - long enough to get a few frames.

[hydroflame]

Wow, nice capture

[gjtoth]

Beautiful and well-captured! Soooo... what's the secret to spotting 'em?

[Ron Kruger]

Excellent capture.
That's why guys like me specialize in shooting a particular species. The more one knows about the habits and habitat of an animal or bird the more likely we are to get close and capture those rare moments.

[AgingEyes]

Very good colors, Loupey !! Like the pose of the bird, too !

[Jaedon]

An awesome opportunity well taken advantage of. Nice job again Loupey.

[scott-devon]

Nice catch Loupey.

[Grandpaw]

Just another of your typical outstanding photos, Jeff

[Loupey]

Thanks, everyone, - your kind words are always appreciated! I am very pleased at how this one came out - the soft, angled sun lit the face ever so gently.

hydroflame - welcome to the site!

gjtoth - my (non-birder) technique: start walking towards the largest stand of the largest oaks/sycamores, accidentally scare the flickers away (discovered that, although very flighty, they don't fly too far away), start stalking them, or stand still long enough and wait for them to return.

[Knight]

One of the best if not the best Flicker i have seen Loupey .Color sharpness its all there