Flying Through
I’ve had some interesting visitors over the last few weeks. Some of them only stay for a few hours before they move on.
I have only seen an American Coot here one other time, almost a year exactly before this one dropped by on Oct. 10. These last two years I have had domestic ducks — maybe the coot thinks they are coots too and lands among them for company.
American Coot, Fullica americana
Belted Kingfishers stop by occasionally, usually in the spring, though. They chatter so loudly; the first time I saw one I thought it was some kind of pigeon that was after another bird that had robbed its nest or something.
Belted Kingfisher male, Ceryle alcyon
I have seen Northern Flickers here only three times before, twice in the fall of 2011, which was our big drought year, and once in the early spring of 2014.
Northern Flicker on pine.
Northern Flicker, yellow-shafted female, Colaptes auratus. Doesn’t she just look so strong and healthy?
I wish them well on their travels!
The Northern Flicker is beautiful–and your photos of her are, too! We have Kingfishers here all summer–I love the way they flash around and chatter.
I agree about the Northern Flicker! What a gorgeous bird! I will have to keep an eye out for more of them around here.
I don’t see them often, and when I do it’s not for very long at a time. I hope you spot one!