[Leica] IMG: Williamson's Sapsucker

[telyt at earthlink.net (Doug Herr)]

The Williamson?s Sapsucker is a woodpecker of the mountains of western North 
America.  Living in remote forests, it can be difficult to find reliably but 
one particular grove of aspens in a mixed conifer/aspen zone above 6300? 
elevation has been my go-to spot for at least a decade.

The grove is several miles from the nearest paved road but fortunately the 
gravel road is in good enough condition for ordinary vehicles w/o high 
clearance or 4WD.  This is where I found myself one day this week.

My plan was to find a nest site, set up a blind nearby to allow for adequate 
lighting and decent backgrounds, and wait.  Having visited the grove the 
week before I knew the birds were in the area so I began the day by looking 
for likely nest trees: a large dead aspen with several older nest cavities 
seemed a likely prospect, and the scattered wood chips at the base of the 
tree suggested recent excavation.  I then set up the blind nearby and waited.

No more than 5 minutes passed before one of the adults flew to the tree with 
a bill full of bugs.  Refining my blind?s position for photos and waiting 
several hours resulted in numerous photos, two of which are here:

male Williamson?s Sapsucker

http://www.wildlightphoto.com/birds/picidae/sphyrapicus/thyroideus/sphthy11.html
 
<http://www.wildlightphoto.com/birds/picidae/sphyrapicus/thyroideus/sphthy11.html>

female Williamson?s Sapsucker

http://www.wildlightphoto.com/birds/picidae/sphyrapicus/thyroideus/sphthy10.html
 
<http://www.wildlightphoto.com/birds/picidae/sphyrapicus/thyroideus/sphthy10.html>

This species is unusual among woodpeckers for its plumage differences 
between the sexes.  When european-americans first encountered this bird they 
believed the male and the female were separate species because of the 
striking difference.

As usual, all comments are welcome.

Doug Herr
Birdman of Sierra County
http://www.wildlightphoto <http://www.wildlightphoto/>.com