During a walk this morning, I saw a male red-bellied woodpecker examining a large hole in a dead tree.
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However, the hole was already occupied, and the woodpecker leaped backward. A small face is staring out of the hole.
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Knock Knock A Red-Bellied Woodpecker Has a Surprise | May 27, 2006 |
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Sometimes in an action sequence, the clarity of the photo isn't as significant as the story it tells. Or that's what I'd like to believe.
During a walk this morning, I saw a male red-bellied woodpecker examining a large hole in a dead tree.
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The woodpecker checked out every angle. (And note that lovely pattern on his tail in the photo below.)
However, the hole was already occupied, and the woodpecker leaped backward. A small face is staring out of the hole. | ||
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It was a tiny flying squirrel, probably a southern flying squirrel because it is more gray than brown. Note the skin flap of the wing which extends from the front arm; it appears slightly darker.
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Getting over his surprise, the red-bellied woodpecker landed back on the tree, worked his way around to the flying squirrel den, stuck his head in again, and leaped backward. He had a third try as well. Each time the flying squirrel would poke his head out the den and then retreat back inside. Flying squirrels are noctural, and all he wanted was a good day's sleep. Photo note: The photos were taken with the Pentax *ist D, with the SMC 1000mm reflex lens. | ||
