Another of the woodpecker species, is the Yellow-breasted Sapsucker. Often mistaken for a woodpecker, it and the Red-naped Sapsucker are not too frequent visitors here. Our local bird guides list them as “uncommon, not present every year”.
It is always nice to be able to photograph one close up, as I did this morning at Spring Creek Park. We saw it moving among the trees, so I drove my car among the trees. I was only about ten feet away to photograph this one. It has a red crown, and a bit of red on the neck below the beak. Forget the yellow belly. This specimen was a bit ratty looking, it’s plumage dirty, and the reds not very vivid. It probably hadn’t cleaned up yet from the recent rains.
Yelllow-bellied Sapsucker
In contrast, here is an older picture of a Red-naped Sapsucker. Notice the red nape and the red crown.
Red-naped Sapsucker
While were out we encountered this Double-crested Cormorant trying to swallow his Happy Meal™.
Double-crested Cormorant with fish.
Why not end the day with another photo of one of my favorites, the Great Blue Heron.
Great Blue Heron
Enjoy the pictures and click on either of them to see an enlargement.
Texas Tweeties by Bob Zeller 