Canadian Shield

Another year round resident the Hairy Woodpecker is very similar to our little Downy Woodpecker only larger. Hairy woodpeckers are also a lot more skittish than the Downy variety who tolerate human presence very well. They also circle tree trunks in search of insects beneath the bark. Brains specially encased within their small heads  allow members of the woodpecker family to hammer away at trees without injury – what an adaptation of nature that is!  The woodpeckers love suet and will also partake in the black oil seed during the winter. They use their tail as a prop on the trees.

Hard to see in the re-sized photo below but when I enlarge this the woodpeckers tongue can be seen darting into the bark to retrieve its food.

Enjoy!

~Sharon

NEW PHOTOS GALLERY HAS BEEN UPDATED

Small and busy creepers these pretty little nuthatches are often found circling head down on a tree trunk searching out insects beneath the bark.  They have stubby little tails and a rounded body. They also don’t mind the black oil seed at the feeding station and frequent that as well.  They have a distinctive call so you always know when they are around.

Enjoy!

~Sharon

NEW PHOTOS GALLERY HAS BEEN UPDATED

Bright and beautiful – also known as “snow parrots” these birds will flock to feeders in the winter and love the black oil seed offered to them.  I seldom see these residents of the spruce-fir forest in the summer but see many throughout the winter. They are quite approachable and carry on feeding even when I am standing close by.  I love photographing these colourful boreal forest residents.

Below is a female showing the markings on her back.

Enjoy!

~Sharon