Jordan Lake. The red-headed woodpecker is excellent at catching flying insects on the wing. It is a mite bulkier than most of our flycatchers. As you can see here these woodpeckers certainly accomplish the task with relish! Also it just so happened that this morning at the lake I didn’t see a single bald eagle of any age – yep, no bald eagles for my new camera to track.

red-headed woodpecker

Jordan Lake. My very first day with my brand-new camera and lens that all of you helped me, in so many ways, to purchase.
I have a lot of learning in front of me! Using this camera is like learning to fly the space shuttle so hang in there with me. I will keep practicing and trying all the ways this camera can be used. Thank you all again for all of your support in oh so many ways.

Mom Godiva up high to left of nest; look for her bright white head
her two fledglings in the nest on each side of main trunk
red-headed woodpecker
osprey male
great blue heron

Jordan Lake Neighborhood
 
The red-headed woodpecker often drills more than one nest cavity before deciding which one to use.
The northern yellow-shafted flicker can chisel out its own cavity but is not adverse to stealing a site.
The red-headed woodpecker had made 3 holes on one side of the tree and 1 hole on the opposite side.
The flicker didn’t care which one she got, she was just determined to take a cavity for herself.
I don’t know who won the dispute, yet.

Red-headed Woodpecker Nest Cavity Progress
 
The male red-headed woodpecker does most of the drilling and excavating.
Because of the loss of habitat, this woodpecker has been on a steady decline and is now on the Watch List.
Our woods around Jordan Lake provide them with the pine snags needed for their nest cavities.
 
Here you can see the beginning of the cavity.
 
 
A wood chip goes flying past the woodpecker’s left shoulder.
 
 
Here is a great view of the cavity.  He will finish the cavity in the next couple of weeks and his mate will lay her eggs.
 
 
Away he goes, chasing a bug for a snack.