Red-bellied Woodpecker

Red-bellied Woodpecker - male. Notice how the Red-bellied Woodpeckers use their stiff tail feathers for balance and stability.

The female only has the red on the back of its head.

Notice the red belly patch after which this woodpecker is named.

Eagle Fest: Bald Eagles along the Hudson River, New York

Immature Bald Eagle

Bald Eagle in flight

Bald Eagle in flight

Bald Eagles  fighting over food. The Ring-billed Gull is gutsy. He tried to steal the food from the eagles. He could have been food himself.

Looking for Eagles

Tom looking for Eagles

Looking for Eagles

Red-headed Woodpecker

Red-Headed Woodpecker with food for babies

Red-Headed Woodpecker with food for babies

Red-Headed Woodpeckers are uncommon on Long Island and less common is finding a pair nesting on LI. So finding a nesting pair that successfully raised babies was very exciting for the local birding group. I was very happy I was given the opportunity to see and photograph them.  

Nesting by uncommon birds are a guarded secret so as to protect them from the over zealous or too many people. Some birds will abandon their nests if there is too much disturbance near them. This pair successfully raised young for two years in a row but what was even more exciting is that they raised more then one brood!

Red-Headed Woodpecker with food for babi

Red-Headed Woodpecker

Mute Swan