Woodpecker in succession

 And they came in succession, providing colours and vibrancy on an otherwise lacklustre afternoon.

It has been weeks since I last saw a Crimson-winged Woodpecker, and could only assumed that this was one of the recent parent woodpeckers.

It came, poked around and left.

Then a female Common Flameback Woodpecker also appeared suddenly and left as promptly.

Then I heard this one but could not sight it yet.  Took a while and finally it made its appearance, and decided to stay to preen.

Barbet ventures out

 The irony of the Lineated Barbet is that it will announce its presence with its loud distinct call when it's in the area but will immediately disappear to camouflage when it senses that it has been sighted, its brilliant green the perfect cover for among the leaves.

I recall how many attempted to capture its images at the water hole but failed because of its rapid disappearance when they rushed for it.  Even though I was alone on this occasion I still have to use this layer of a tree to quickly have a go at it until I felt it's safe to approach nearer as it was preoccupied then with its drinking and cleaning.

And this female Common Flameback Woodpecker had to come a visiting, and a common strategy of a woodpecker when it looked like it wanted to put one off its track, to backslide slowly down to its target destination.

Unfortunately it was in for a shock!

Beauty in the eye of the beholder - a stunner of a bird although rather stocky looking.

And it's back to more sloshing and splashing.

Beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder!

For better or for worse

 CMCO Day 8

First Shrike in the taman

 I've got to thank this female Common Flameback Woodpecker for drawing my attention and flushing out the latest migrant visitor to the taman.

04/2020

And so flew out this Brown Shrike that has been perching silently up on a branch.  And despite the apparent call that the Shrike is making with its open beak, I couldn't hear a single beat.

Missing the Woodpecker till now

With little avian excitement nowadays, the sighting of an 'old' acquaintance could be truly thrilling.  And this female Common Flameback Woodpecker did just that to me.  It was initially too busy foraging to notice my presence but soon it did.

I have not seen a Woodpecker look like this before, quite piercing!

And it continued to forage till I left, not it!

Common but unpredictable

It sped in and it sped out, not the least affected that it flew just inches by me.  All it was interested was its mid-morning snack although it didn't look like its forage was successful as it flew on immediately and away.
The Common Flameback Woodpecker is a common sight in the taman, this one being a female, and of course always seen when least expected.  Its presence may be regular but is certainly not predictable.

Common Woodpecker but ....

The Common Flameback Woodpecker may be seen foraging regularly in the taman yet each time it's thrilling to encounter them.  If one is lucky one can even come across the entire of family of five.

Woodpecker not tempted at all

First the pretty fruits attracted me, then when the Common Flameback Woodpecker flew in, it was a scene I couldn't walk past or ignore.  Nevertheless, it looked like the Woodpecker is simply not interested in these fruits as it proceeded to forage beneath the bark. 

Sit, Woodpecker

Ever wonder if birds sit?  It's a pity I couldn't get better views of these Common Flameback Woodpeckers to answer with certainty!

It's Woodypecker now!

One day it's the male, the next is the female, and it's like meeting an old friend when the Common Flameback Woodpecker flew in and started to forage in front of you, with nary a thought at your presence.
Woodypecker,
affectionately named,
Picked at my heart
as you picked at the wood,
See you around!