Friday, August 5, 2011

The Woodpecker Hummingbird!

All photos by Jonathan Schechter

Ruby-throated hummingbirds are regular visitors to my suction cup attached nectar feeder. These
tiny artists of the air that zip about in marvelous overdrive found the feeder just hours after it went
 up late this spring.  But now they have company. 

All wildlife species - humans included - adapt to habitat and prevailing conditons. That is  the very
 root of survival and  fuels evolution even when the advantage of their activity is minimal.  A few
days ago I noted both adult and large fledgling downy woodpeckers making bold visits to my 
 hummer feeder.  Unable to hover they cling to the feeder and their long tounges plunge into the
 slurry of sweetness spiced with a few dead ants.  A question remains. Is it the sugary sweet liquid
or  the hapless sweetened ants that lure in my new friends. 
My guess: Both!


2 Comments:

Anonymous Sakoieta said...

She:kon,
This is why I use the feeders that have the tube casing to hold the nectar, with four plastic flowers one in each direction on the feeder. In this manner the other birds cannot get at the food and leave it alone as well there are also bug traps on the feeder to keep out the wasps or other insects who may try to access the sweet water inside. But beside that, cool pics of these little woodpeckers! Ioianere! (It is good).

August 5, 2011 at 7:48 AM 
Blogger Jonathan Schechter said...

Thank you Sakoieta---your eye to nature's way is always welcome. And like you said, when it comes to the wonders of nature and those who see: loianere.

August 5, 2011 at 9:46 AM 

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