The male G.S.Woodpecker is visiting each day and today we tested how brave he would be by placing the log with mealworms just over a metre away from our feet ! Even though I used the 5D with 300mm (no extender needed ! ) I didn't have need to crop all the photos and those that I did were minimal.
Wasn't till I saw the photos on the computer that I realised he'd been predating ladybirds ! click full screen for better view.
This is a record shot taken on the iPhone to show you where Mike was sitting and the woodpecker - it actually looks further away on the photo than it was for real.
He was really close lol
think he's sticking his tongue out at the camera lol
In this next photo if you view on full screen you will see how long its tongue is and the reason it can grab chicks from the nest box :(
I've got tons of pics of him as you can imagine but will leave it at this
It surprised me too Tony and he keeps coming back; this time I took even closer pics; this is uncropped
and same shot cropped
Mike and I are on nest box watch now the Woodpecker has shown interest in the Nutty nestlings ! thank goodness it's a stonecrete box but he'll try reach in once they are big enough to jump up at the exit hole.
That gives a different perspective to having a sharp tongue :)
More G.S.Woodpecker pics from the last couple of days
Ever wondered how the Woodpeckers are so expert at grabbing insects out of crevices or chicks out of the nest-box ………… look at this tongue which it can extend a long way !
best viewed on full screen to see the very strong tongue and it's finer extension !
this is to show you how close I can sit to where the woodpecker will perch - I know I'm not in the chair but he will come almost to my feet or certainly within a metre as he can't resist live mealies ! You can just see him on the wooden post.
Your getting some very nice close-ups Hazel.
lol Paul, this fine fellow is beyond belief and was almost by my feet today, you could say just two feet away lol He's busy feeding young and taking food back to the nest and female so he's looking for every scrap of food available - including the nuthatch nestlings who he must be able to hear in the stonecrete box; hopefully they'll remain safe and he certainly can't drill into that box ! It will be a dangerous time for the nutties when they start to grow and jump up to the nest hole ready to take off.
Wonderful shots, Hazel. On the rare occasions when we get a GSW he’s off if you even try to look out of the window at him.!!
More close ups of Mr Great Spotted Woodpecker today
Wonderful!
Nigel O said: I didn't know you've got a wooden leg now :) I assume that's why pirates went with parrots instead of woodpeckers!
I didn't know you've got a wooden leg now :) I assume that's why pirates went with parrots instead of woodpeckers!
Thanks Nigel and Catlady, I was amazed that I could get within a metre of it (or rather it come within a metre of me ) but not sure it will get any closer and to be honest, I don't fancy that large bill pecking a hole in my leg lol