Tuesday, September 02, 2008

Clumsy Sapsuckers

Last month at Hasty Brook the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker kids were out of the nest. What an awkward bunch of flyers!
Several times I saw one of them fly in to land upright on a tree trunk, bounce and flap a bit and finally get it's feet well below the target.

This young one was very vocal, calling for its parents, begging to be fed. These guys can be LOUD!
Finally Dad flew in and showed junior how to check for sap and insects in their drilled holes.

15 comments:

Shelley said...

I'm so envious of the photos you captured of these guys! I am never quick enough. Well done!

Leedra said...

I didn't see the one on the left side at first. He just blends in with the tree. Maybe that is why I miss so many birds, I can't see them.

Leedra said...

I didn't see the one on the left side at first. He just blends in with the tree. Maybe that is why I miss so many birds, I can't see them.

Kathi said...

Aaaahh - How cool! We get YB sapsuckers as winter visitors, but they don't breed here. I'm jealous!

Don't you love baby birds? "Help, help!!! I'm sitting RIGHT ON TOP of the food and I'm HUNGRY! Come and put the food in my mouth, like you used to."

Some kids just never seem to want to grow up and leave the nest.

~K

Unknown said...

I bet that was fun to watch.

NCmountainwoman said...

Delightful post. Great shots of the sapsuckers. There is something so endearing about clumsy new feeders.

Marsha said...

Great shots and look at all those little holes in the tree they have drilled!

Kathie Brown said...

Lynne, what a great series of shots! Your sapsuckers will be down here soon. We saw some last year in Sabino Canyon on our bird survey transect. What fun to watch. Thanks for this post.

Corey said...

I'm patiently waiting for your sapsuckers to come back down my way. Great shots!

Anonymous said...

I've only seen a sapsucker one time. You got great close-up shots!

Mary C said...

As Linda said, "great close-up shots!" How do you get such close-up shots?

RuthieJ said...

Isn't it neat they way they blend in with the birch trees? Those are great pictures Lynne!

Ecobirder said...

Nice pics. You are lucky to have a great place like Hasty Brook where you get to frequently see cool birds like the sapsuckers

Berder said...

Great captures of those little fellows!

Mary said...

Love the sapsuckers. Your shots are fantastic, Linne. I'm looking forward to seeing them soon.