Snowless bird
Yesterday's mini-snowfall was history by mid-day, and by this morning, with above-freezing temperatures turning the ground's ice to water and the soil to mud, we appeared to be in for a mini-heat-wave. A Northern Flicker certainly seconded that sentiment. These large, spotted woodpeckers get their sustenance by "pecking" the earth for worms and other prey items, instead of whacking on trees to find grubs and ants, so it's easy to see why we don't see flickers too often in the winter. Or, at least, that used to be the case, pre-global-warming. But with abundant soil to probe in the now-warmer-than-historically-usual weather, Northern Flickers are putting in an increasing number of appearances. This one, on and around the suet tree, offered a fine viewing... and photo op.