Photogenic Golden-fronted Woodpeckers

We made a quick run through San Angelo State Park this morning.  We were so surprised to see so many Golden-fronted Woodpeckers there.  Like they were having a convention.

They get their name from the small golden patch above the bill and below the eyes.  The male and female each also have a golden patch on the nape, but the male has a distinctive red patch atop the head.  To me, they are the most photogenic of all of the woodpecker species.  Here are three of my images.

Golden-fronted Woodpecker – male

Golden-fronted Woodpecker – female

Golden-fronted Woodpecker – male

I hope you enjoyed these photos.  Click on any of them to see an enlargement.  Tomorrow, Monday morning Ann and I are headed for Miles, Texas.  It is a little farming town about 20 miles from here.  Our good friend Sue Oliver called this afternoon to tell us of a huge flooded area, left over from our heavy rains a few weeks ago.  It is teeming with shorebirds, etc.  I will give you a report later.

Here is a list of the birds that we saw this morning at San Angelo State Park.

1.    Black-crested Titmouse
2.    House Sparrow
3.    Golden-fronted Woodpecker
4.    Mourning Dove
5.    White-winged Dove
6.    Northern Mockingbird
7.    Pyrrholoxia
8.    House Finch
9.    Northern Cardinal
10.    Spotted Towhee
11.    White-crowned Sparrow
12.    Canyon Towhee
13.    Red-winged Blackbird
14.    Northern Harrier
15.    Northern Shoveler
16.    American Coot
17.    Greater Roadrunner
18.    Western Meadowlark
19.    Turkey Vulture
20.    Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
21.    Killdeer
22.    Lark Bunting